Tips

Every year, homeowners spend $9,000 or more on renovations.

From kitchen remodels, to installing new floors, a homeowner’s to-do list is never-ending. Luckily, gates are one type of renovation that can completely change the look of your home, without breaking the bank.

However, with all of the different types of gates available, it can be difficult to know what one you should choose. To help you out, we’ve created this short but complete guide about all about gates. Instead of making a choice, you’ll regret it, you should be able to buy your gate with confidence!

Read on to learn what type of gate will compliment your home.

How to Buy a Gate Like a Pro

Before you start diving into the different types of gates, it’s helpful to ask yourself a few questions. For instance, what’s the purpose of your gate? Are you getting your gate for security reasons, or are you more interested in a decorative gate design?

Next, think about gate features you might be interested in, such as automated gates. Moving on, you’ll want to visualize what your gate will look like if you were viewing it from the road. Finally, take a moment to measure the gap you’re going to fill from wall to wall, or post to post, so you know exactly what size gate you need.

Best Gate Materials

Moving on, you can also narrow down your search by getting specific about what materials you’re looking for.

Here are a few of the most popular gate materials:

• Wood
• Aluminum
• PVC
• Wrought Iron
• Vinyl
• Chain Link
• Bamboo
• Farm style
• Composite

Each gate material comes with its list of benefits. For instance, if you get a wood gate, you’ll always have the option to paint it if you want a different color later on. Or you could choose to go with a vinyl gate that won’t become weak even during the rainiest of seasons. When you know what material you want, it’ll be easier for you to choose the perfect design options.

Features of Standard Gates

If you want to get a standard gate style, the gate will be made using the same materials as your fence. For instance, if you have a wrought iron fence, you’ll want your standard gate to be wrought iron as well. A standard gate uses a single door design for entrance.

Here are a few tips to get the perfect standard look:

• Have gate same height as the fence
• Brace gate diagonally
• Strategically place the latch system

Your latch system should be installed on the inside of your standard gate. You’ll want the latch to be out of the reach of children, but also difficult for someone passing by to access.

Automated Specialty Gates

Do you have a large piece of property that could benefit from an automated gate? Automated gates are a convenient way to impress your guests before they ever step foot on your property. You could install a large, ranch-style automated gate, that includes things like your family’s last name!

Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Automatic Gates

You’ll want to make sure that your automated gates are large enough for big vehicles, like trucks, to pass through. Next, consider pedestrian visitors who might not want to wait for the automated gate to open.

It’s polite to have an alternative entrance for visitors that are arriving by bicycle or foot. You can always lock the alternative entrance at the end of the day for security.

Swing vs. Slide Gates

Next, let’s look at the differences between swing gates and sliding gates. There are 2 types of swing gates, single, and double swing gates. If you’re working with a tight budget, you should get single swing gates. One way you’ll save is that you can automate your single swing gates using only 1 automatic opener.

Moving on, sliding gates are a great option if you’re working with a tight space. Sliding gates also offer an added layer of security since they can’t be pushed open once they’re fully closed.

Lastly, sliding gates are less susceptible to wind. If you live somewhere with a lot of storms, your swing gate could wind up being forced open from high winds, whereas a sliding gate won’t.

Benefits of Security Gates

Are you buying a gate mainly for security purposes? If so, you’ll want to consider the price. Low priced security gates are usually cheaply made, and won’t be able to keep your home safe. Whereas reasonably priced, and expensive security gates tend to have the right fixings to make your gate sturdy and strong.

For instance, a security gate that’s bolted into your home’s brickwork will be more secure than a security gate fixed to the door frame. Lastly, consider how corrosion resistant the gate is. To get a long-lasting gate, look for galvanized steel options.

Different Types of Pool Gates

Do you need a gate for your pool? Here are a few different types of pool fences and gates to consider:

• Aluminum Pool Gate
• Glass Pool Fence
• Mesh Pool Gate
• Wrought Iron Pool Gate
• Wood Pool Gate

While wrought iron pool gates provide a classic look, wood gates give you more options when it comes to designs.

Beautiful Garden Gates

Last but not least, you should also consider getting a garden fence gate to add an aesthetic appeal to your home. Depending on your space, swing gates tend to look the best for gardens.

However, the style of the gate doesn’t matter as much as the color. If you have a bright garden with lots of light-colored flowers, you’ll want a gate that compliments those colors.

For instance, orange, yellow, and pink are all wonderful color choices for garden gates. However, black metal garden gates can also look great, especially if your home has red bricks.

Exploring the Different Types of Gates

Learning about the different types of gates is a great way to start your shopping experience. The more you know about the materials, designs, and benefits each gate offers, the easier it’ll be to make the right choice.

Remember to envision what your gate will look like to someone passing by on the road. Go ahead and stand outside and start picturing your dream gate now.

Then when you know what you want, order your gate and get ready to complete your home’s look! For more ways to make your home shine, read another one of our articles.

Do you have a drain pipe that is broken underground? This can be a difficult repair to make since you can’t see it or may have trouble accessing it. However, if you’re able to locate the area where the leak is you should be able to dig up the pipe and repair it without having to call a plumber.

Keep reading to learn how to fix a broken drain pipe underground.

Locate the Leaking Pipe

If you have a pipe that is leaking underground you should be able to locate it by looking for wet areas, extra green grass, or sinkholes that are starting to form. If the damaged pipe is carrying wastewater you might notice a foul odor in the air.

If the pipe that is broken is connected to your sprinkler system then you will be able to tell its general location. The sprinklers that are attached to the broken pipeline will either not have as much pressure or any water coming out at all.

If the damaged pipe is in an area that you are unable to access, you should have a professional use spray in place pipe which doesn’t require the pipe to be dug up for repair.

Next, you will need to have the water main shut off. You should have access to the water main or you may need to contact the city if your home is on city water.

Cut Off the Broken Pipe

Once the water has been shut off you can begin digging a hole to reach the broken pipe. Once you have reached the pipe, identify the area that is damaged, and mark the area that needs to be repaired.

Then, starting six inches away from the mark on both sides, use a hacksaw to cut through the pipe. Be careful to keep your cutting a straight as possible. Once you have removed the piece of pipe, use it to measure the length of the new pipe you will need.

Replace Broken Section

Use PVC primer on the outside of the end of the new and existing pipe. Then apply the PVC primer on the interior of the PVC coupling. Allow the primer to dry before applying the PVC glue to all the areas that have the primer.

Then push the half of the coupling onto the new pipe, wait about one minute to make sure it is stuck well, and then push the other half of the coupling onto the new existing end of the pipe. Wait at least two hours for the glue to fully dry before turning the water main back on. Allow the system to run for about 20 minutes to ensure that everything is working well before you fill the hole back in.

Learn More About How to Fix a Broken Drain Pipe Underground Today!

These are the basic steps for how to fix a broken drain pipe underground. Start by identifying where the area is that has the broken pipe, and then shut off the main water to your home. Once you have located the area, dig a hole to locate the pipe or call a professional if it’s not in an area you can access.

Mark the damaged area of the pipe and then cut it at least six inches away from the damage on either side. Then apply PVC primer and glue to the new pipe, existing pipe, and the coupler. Once all the pieces are assembled together let dry for two hours before turning on the main water.

For more useful household tips or information be sure to visit our website daily!

More and more people are beginning to add tech to their homes to make their lives easier. Unfortunately, this comes at the cost of using more power. Luckily, there are things you can do to cut down on your power drains.

If you want to do more for the environment and save money on power, sustainable home design is worth the effort. Follow the tips below to build a sustainable house.

Switch to LED Light Bulbs

Most people don’t think of light bulbs when they think of saving energy. After all, they’re small bulbs that don’t give off too much light.

Unfortunately, they use more power than you think.

Switching to LED light bulbs can save you money on energy bills. They use less power and last much longer. Any extra money you spend buying one will be made up and then some.

LED bulbs also have the advantage of being configurable. You might not want the standard color for light bulbs in your home. You can configure LED bulbs to change color and shine at a different warmth.

Collect Rainwater

Gardening is more popular than ever. It’s a great way to grow your own food and make your yard look incredible. Unfortunately, it can be a water hog.

If you get adequate rainfall in your area, you can use a rainwater barrel to harvest rainwater to use for your garden. Set up a barrel next to your home and use your gutters to direct rainwater into your barrel. You can hook up your garden hose to your rainwater barrel to take care of your plants.

You do need to be careful if you decide to use rainwater for other things. Many locations have restrictions on rainwater usage. Learn about your local laws to make sure you don’t do something against regulations.

Use a Smart Thermostat

If you’re like many households, your home doesn’t have people in it during every part of the day. People go to school and work. It’s a waste of energy to heat and cool your home during those parts of the day.

A smart thermostat solves this problem. These thermostats allow you to program settings that automatically change your home’s temperature throughout the day.

If you want to go a step further, invest in a zone-controlled HVAC system. These systems will allow you to program the temperature of each part of your home. If you have a part of the home that you hardly used, there’s no reason to keep it the same temperature as the rest of the house.

Buy Energy Efficient Appliances

Your appliances are one of the most significant energy drains in your home. They’re on all the time and take a lot of power to run. If you’re using old appliances, you’re using more energy than necessary.

Luckily, there have been many advances made in energy management for everyday appliances. If you buy a new appliance, it will use much less energy than your old ones. Make sure any new machine you purchase has an energy star certification.

You don’t need to replace all your appliances straight away, either. Wait until you need to replace one of your appliances with a new one. You can gradually replace your home appliances with energy-efficient ones as your old ones start dying.

Invest in Landscaping

Making a sustainable house doesn’t only involve home improvements. There are many things you can do with your yard that helps your home contend with the elements.

If you live in a chilly environment, you’ll face cold winds that keep your home colder in the winter. Sustainable landscape design will help by blocking that wind from hitting your house. Well placed shrubs and bushes will stop your furnace from working so hard.

The same is true for the summer months. The more sunlight that hits your home, the hotter it gets in the summer. Placing trees around your house that blocks sunlight will keep your home cooler during the hot summer.

Invest in Solar Panels

It used to be that investing in solar panels cost a fortune and never paid for itself. Luckily, things have advanced a lot since those times.

Solar panels are less expensive than ever. For people planning to stay in their home for a long time, solar panels are an investment that will pay for itself over time. If you want to save money and go green with sustainable building design, switching to solar is the perfect option.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to putting together a solution with solar. Get in touch with residential solar companies in your area so you can get an estimate. They will figure out your energy needs so that you can get the right number of solar panels for your roof.

Use Passive Solar

Unfortunately, not everyone has the money to invest in solar panels. It takes a large investment to build a system that powers a modern home, and it might take too long for some people to recoup their investment.

The good news is that you can still take advantage of solar energy to build sustainable homes.

Passive solar design is the process of using the sun to help heat and cool buildings. It uses building materials that reflect and absorb sunlight to control the amount of heat that enters a building. When used correctly, you can reduce the need for standard heating and cooling methods.

Windows also play an essential role in passive solar systems. By adding larger windows to your home, you can increase the amount of sunlight that enters your house.

They don’t just allow you to get by with less artificial lights. They allow sunlight to do the hard work of heating your home during winter months.

Invest in Sustainable Home Design Today

You don’t need to redesign your entire house to make it more sustainable. You can implement many of the ideas above on a budget, so don’t wait to start the process. It won’t take long for you to see why sustainable home design is worth investing in.

Do you want to learn more home improvement tips? Head back to our blog to discover our best advice.

Are you worried that your home may be infested with cockroaches but aren’t sure?

A roast infestation is not only gross, but it can also be a huge problem for your home and your health. Cockroaches can trigger asthma, and some of them carry bacteria that can cause illnesses in food. They can also cause issues in your plumbing and damage your doors and walls.

But, how can you tell if you have a roach infestation?

Check out this guide to learn how to tell if you have roaches in your home.

1. There are Feces

Many people spot roach feces in their homes before realizing what they actually are. These feces don’t look like normal animal feces. Rather, they resemble coffee grounds.

They vary in size, and they’re dark in color. Some are the size of a grain of rice, while others are closer to the size of a pepper flake. Check the corners of your homes and the back of your cabinets, as these are areas where roaches tend to leave their feces.

Roaches can harbor over 33 types of bacteria, so be careful when cleaning them up. Wear a face mask and gloves, and use a vacuum cleaner to get loose feces on your carpet. After cleaning up the feces, wipe up the area with a disinfectant cleaner.

2. Strange Odors

Is there a mysterious odor in your home that you can’t put your finger on?

Some people describe the odor of roaches as garbage-like or musky. Typically, this odor is strongest in wet areas of your home, such as the basement or bathroom, as these places are where roaches tend to congregate.

While cleaning up these areas may help to get rid of the odor temporarily, you’ll still need to get to the root of the infestation.

3. You Have Allergy Symptoms

Cockroaches contain certain proteins that many people are allergic to. Even if you don’t normally suffer from allergies, roaches can still trigger an allergic reaction.

Here are some symptoms to watch out for:

• Trouble catching your breath or wheezing
• Stuffy nose
• Feeling of tightness or heaviness in your chest
• Itchy, red eyes

If you suffer from asthma, you may notice that you’re having to use your inhaler more than normal. Even just a couple of roaches can trigger an allergic reaction, so closely monitor your symptoms.

4. Disappearing Food

Does it seem like food is always mysteriously disappearing from your home? Unless you have a bunch of hungry teenagers ravaging your cabinets, there’s a good chance that roaches are the issue.

Roaches are not picky eaters, and they’ll feed on everything from food crumbs to wallpaper paste. They also sometimes go after dog food. Using tightly sealed containers to store your food can help prevent roaches from breaking in, but it won’t make them leave your home.

This is why you’ll need to call an exterminator to get rid of them. If you have problems with eagles or other animals, a pest control company can also help with this. You can check out the best eagle pest control to learn more.

How to Tell if You Have Roaches: Time to Say Goodbye

Now that you know how to tell if you have roaches, it’s time to say goodbye to them once and for all. With the right exterminator, your home should be roach-free in no time.

Be sure to check back in with our blog for more pest control tips and tricks.

Whether they’re living with you or staying in their own home, as you have loved ones that start progressing in age, it’s wise to take a more active role in their care and comfort to ensure that they’re getting the things that they need.

One area that you might consider checking out for your aging loved one is their bedroom. Depending on their living situation, like if they’re in an assisted living facility, they might be spending quite a bit of time in their bedroom. If this is the case, you’ll want to help them make their space as safe and welcoming as possible. To help you in doing this, here are three tips for setting up a bedroom for your elderly loved one.

Make It Easy To Get In And Out Of Bed

For many older adults, it becomes increasingly necessary to use the bathroom in the middle of the night. Knowing this, you should try to do everything in your power to make it easy for them to get in and out of bed on their own.

To do this, AgingCare.com recommends installing bed rails on each side of the bed so that your loved one can get some leverage when trying to get out of bed. Additionally, bed rails can make it easier to steady themselves as they get back into bed as well.

Get The Right Lighting Options

As people age, their eyes need more and more light in order to adequately read and see their surroundings. As a result, the lighting needs of your loved one might be different than what you need for yourself or what’s typically included in a bedroom.

According to Lucy of ResidenceStyle.com, it’s a good idea to install motion activated lights in bedrooms of elderly people. Then, if they enter the room in the dark or need to get up from bed at night, the lights will automatically come on for them. You may also want to put overhead lights on a dimmer so they can choose the exact brightness they need at any given time as well as adding a lamp near their chair or bed for task lighting.

Choose Safe Flooring

The flooring of your loved one’s bedroom can help to keep them safe from slipping, tripping or falling. Not only should the floor not be slippery for them to walk on, but AgingInPlace.com, shares that it should also help to anchor furniture and other items so they don’t easily move either. This means that you’ll likely want to keep rugs out of the room, as they can be more of a hazard than a help.

If you think your elderly loved one could use some updates to their bedroom, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you create the perfect bedroom space for them.

Not everyone agrees that your home is one of your biggest assets. Using wisdom from the Great Recession, many critics rightly claim that a home’s value can quickly drop leaving the homeowner upside down on a mortgage.

But these situations happen very rarely in history. There are many ways to increase your home value that will typically allow you to profit when its time to sell your home.

If you’re looking for a fast turnaround on increasing your home’s value, look no further. Here are 5 tried and true ways to turn your house into an asset.

1. Work Outside In

The best ways to increase home value isn’t to renovate. Not always.

It’s far more important to make your home’s existing features stand out. This means if you live on a hillside with large boulders, taking the time to create a rock garden around those boulders is your best move.

Upgrading your landscape brings your home value up by around 5 percent. Take a look at where you can enhance the features of your yard.

There may not be much to improve at all, but a fresh set of colorful flowers can work wonders for your yard. Look at the area from the curb where buyers will approach the property.

They’ll notice any fencing, walkways, address signs, the mailbox, etc. Make sure all of these elements are in mint condition even if you’re only applying a fresh coat of paint.

Replace your address numbers with fresh copies from a hardware store to make your home look as good as new. Cut back menacing tree branches or overgrown shrubs blocking the doorway.

2. Declutter

No, this post wasn’t sponsored by your mother. Decluttering has actual monetary value that you’ll appreciate when its time to sell your home.

A cluttered home keeps people from being able to see its real potential. It’s also a safe haven for pests and other home invaders.

Don’t give dust mites a place to hide. Rid your rooms of unneeded furniture, paperwork, and other personal items. If you have heirlooms you’d prefer not to get rid of, consider renting a storage unit.

You can take your time with the decluttering process since it won’t be relevant until its time for showings. A showing is when your realtor brings potential buyers to tour the home.

It’s still recommended that you declutter well in advance of putting your home up for sale. This allows you time to deal with large, awkward pieces of furniture and schedule charity pickups at your leisure.

3. Get the Kitchen Updated

There are a few exceptions to the renovation rule. For example, if you choose to make any changes to update your kitchen, it’ll help boost its overall value.

A full remodel isn’t necessary but you might consider replacing the cabinet fronts or putting a fresh coat of paint on the walls. The newness of the changes makes the kitchen appear fresh and well maintained.

Your realtor can give you clues as to what buyers really want in your market. In some places, homebuyers aren’t willing to skimp on granite countertops.

In other areas, an accent wall might be a key selling point. Take the emotion out of your home when putting it up for sale. Think of it as a model home you need to update in order to draw the right kind of attention.

Other kitchen updates include switching to stainless steel appliances. Your black or white fridge won’t sell the kitchen as modern or updated.

Stainless steel immediately changes the look of your appliances which take up most of the space in the room.

4. Go Green

Making your home more energy efficient isn’t just great for the environment, it’s great for your pocketbook. You’ll save around 30 percent on heating and cooling costs with the right appliances.

Make sure you have energy star certified appliances since these are regulated. You’ll receive a tax break for a certain amount of energy efficiency in your home.

These bonuses make your return on investment for swapping out appliances much more meaningful over the long term. You don’t need a complete solar panel installation for the energy efficiency to produce a good return on your home’s value.

Even adding dimmers to the lights is an upgrade that can wow a buyer. Dimmers are energy efficient because they allow you to use only what you need.

5. Make it Impressive

When you’re adding value to your home on a budget, there are few cheats that’ll get you ahead of your competitors. One is to make your house look far more impressive than it really is.

For example, you can invest in technology that automates many common household features. A doorbell upgrade is an easy example.

Video doorbells make the home feel more high tech. As do smart microwaves, smart outlets, and more.

An automated home, even on a small scale, keeps your home looking cutting edge even if its several decades old. Mix the old and the new to bring a stylish contrast to the home.

Make sure these tech upgrades work well for your lifestyle so you aren’t stuck with features that don’t really help you manage your household. Check with https://www.homesinmeridian.com/blog/increasing-selling-value-your-home/ to make sure you’re making the upgrades buyers like the most.

Ways to Increase Home Value

You can look into ways to increase home value, but they may not make sense for your area. Remember to think local when exploring upgrades.

Not every market has choosy buyers. You might be able to simply sweep the floor and get top dollar because it’s a seller’s market in your area.

For more information and tips, visit our blog for updates.

 

If you’re starting to sell online in the digital world, online marketing is going to look like a beast that can’t be tamed. Yet, to a seasoned vet, selling things online is a walk in the park.

You’ve heard all the success stories of selling things online and now you want to give it a shot. Yet, you’re still wondering how marketing works online!

Well, there are plenty of tips and tricks that you can use to break into the online world of digital marketing and selling things online.

Keep reading for our guide to seven tips you need to know to start selling online.

1. Choose the Right Platform

Something you’re going to have to do when you start selling online is choosing the right platform to sell your products. There are tons of different platforms to choose from such as Shopify, Amazon, Etsy, Squarespace, and so much more.

Each platform has it’s own pros and cons to setting up an online store. Some platforms give you complete control over the look and feel of your website, while others give you a bigger audience to sell your products.

Do your research and find the best way to sell things online for you when looking for the right platform. It is up to you to decide on how you want to start selling online.

2. Build Your Online Brand

What you need to know about internet marketing is building your online brand. With a reputable online brand, you could sell pretty much anything online. Whether you want to sell land online, selling t-shirts online, or even selling online shopping assistant services.

Marketing online is a way for you to create a personality for your brand. Social media is one of the best places for you to express that personality for your target audience. You can build a following on social media by creating content that your audience will appreciate.

3. Customer Service is Important

When you’re learning how to sell things online you need to make sure that you make customer service a priority. If you take pride in your customer service, then you will be more likely to have customers who want to shop with you again and again.

There are several ways that you can improve your online customer service. The first is to make sure that your customers can easily navigate your website and buy your products. If it is difficult to make a purchase, then customers aren’t going to want to buy products from you.

Next, you need to make sure that you’re always accessible to your customers.

One thing that you can do is make sure that you respond to questions, comments, or concerns from clients almost instantly. This will show your customers that you’re there for them when they need you. Resolving issues fast is another way to show that you have excellent customer service skills.

4. Collect Email Addresses

One of the best tips for selling online is to collect email addresses from potential and current customers. Having an email address list will give you the ability to send out a newsletter to your customers. You can include updates on products, new deals, and upcoming promotions.

An awesome way to collect email addresses for your email list is by offering something in exchange. Many people will give you their email address if you offer them a discount code. The discount code can be around 15% off and will give you another email address to add to your list.

Plus, when you offer potential customers a discount code, then you have the chance to make a sale!

5. Interact With Your Followers

Besides having good customer service skills, you should also interact with your followers on social media. This is a great way to build a good connection with your customers and for them to trust your brand.

Having a brand that customers can trust is an awesome way to sell things online. People have a harder time shopping with brands that they can’t trust.

It can be hard work building trust with customers when you’re first starting to sell online. This is why you should interact on social media as much as possible. Be sure to respond, like, and retweet comments.

6. Make Sure People Want to Shop Again

Convincing someone to shop with you for the first time is great, but how can you get them to shop with you over and over again? Many businesses will only focus on getting the first sale and then forget about having the customers buy from them again.

You want to get as many repeat customers as possible. The best way to do this is to make sure that the sale went as smoothly as possible from start to finish.

Something that businesses tend to forget about is speedy delivery. No one likes waiting for their online orders, so make sure your delivery speed is fast!

You should also make sure that your products are packaged properly and securely. This is so that nothing is damaged in the shipping process.

7. Online Reviews

Another great internet marketing tactic is having good online reviews. Potential customers like to buy products that have real reviews.

How do you get reviews on your products from actual customers? Well, you can wait around until customers decide to review, but sometimes that doesn’t always work.

A great way to speed up the process is by asking clients to review your products after they’ve made the purchase. This is a great way to bulk up your reviews and have them be accurate.

Learn How Marketing Works Online

There are plenty of different ways that you can learn how marketing works online. Be sure to use these tips and tricks so that you’ll be selling your products online like a pro in no time.

Our website is filled with tips on home renovations, lifestyle, health, budgeting your money, and so much more! If you’re interested in keeping up with all our advice, then make sure that you bookmark our page. You can keep coming back for more tips and tricks that will help you out.

 

For hundreds of years, Canada has been a land of immigrants. Throughout most of Canada’s history, the majority of immigrants have been Europeans. In recent years, this has changed, with the majority of modern immigrants originating from China and South Asia.

Regardless of which demographic someone falls into, it’s no wonder why so many people move to Canada. It’s an amazing country that has a lot to offer. However, being so large can make it difficult to know where to go.

Keep reading to learn about five of the best places to live in Canada.

1. Toronto

Many people from all over view New York City as the cosmopolitan center of the world, making it a favorite destination. If you feel that way, you’ll be happy to learn that Toronto is, in many ways, a cleaner and more compact version of The Big Apple.

Like New York, Toronto is multicultural, open-minded, and tolerant. This makes it easy for expats to assimilate and fit in regardless of their cultural backgrounds. Today, you can find more than 230 nationalities in the city. This makes it the most diverse city in Canada.

With a population of almost 3 million, Toronto is Canada’s most populous city. You can find excellent museums and parks, fantastic international dining, and a number of cultural activities to enjoy. The city is also located on Lake Ontario, giving you plenty of options to get out on the water during the summer.

People often struggle with finding a place to live in any big city. Check out this house buying guide to learn what you can do to make finding a home easy.

2. Vancouver

Some cities are beautiful, but they feel like concrete jungles at odds with nature. At the opposite end of the spectrum, you have cities like Vancouver.

Surrounded by mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities, not only in Canada but in the world. This makes it an amazing place to observe wildlife, go surfing, ski or snowboard down mountains, and embark on a number of other outdoor activities.

Vancouver is one of the most diverse cities in the world, with half of the population speaking an additional language besides English. The city is also famous for being tolerant and diverse. There is a huge LGBTQ+ community, and the government has legalized recreational marijuana.

Like San Francisco, Vancouver is a large city located on a small area. It has a population of around 700,000 people.

3. Montréal

If you check any list of the best cities in the world for expats, you should find Montréal somewhere near the top. Residents of Montréal love the work-life balance that the city offers, as well as the affordable and accessible housing options.

Montréal is in the province of Québec. Founded by the French hundreds of years ago, the city has maintained it’s cultural heritage through the years. Today, Montréal feels like a mini-Paris, with French being the official language. You can enjoy a number of other elements of French culture, all with a Canadian twist.

Montréal has a population of 1.7 million, making it one of the larger Canadian cities. Keep in mind that due to the multiculturalism present, not speaking French may set you back. In fact, to get a work permit in Montréal, you need to have at least a basic understanding of the French langauge.

4. Ottawa

Ottawa is, in many ways, a typical capital city. It lacks some of the excitement and trendiness that other larger and more modern cities offer, but it’s a great place to live.

Located between Toronto and Montreal, Ottawa is also in the province of Ontario. Although the population is around one million, it’s the largest city in Canada. You’ll have plenty of things to do, from museums and theaters, to restaurants and nightlife. There’s also a huge number of parks and green spaces.

Being the political center of Canada means that there are plenty of job opportunities for nationals and foreigners alike. Technology, finance, education, and the federal government are some of the biggest industries in Ottawa.

5. Calgary

If you’re looking for an atypical Canadian city, Calgary may be up your alley. Many people refer to Calgary as being the most “American” city in Canada. The city has a unique cowboy vibe, and also tends to lean more towards the traditional and conservative side.

Located in Alberta, Calgary is the center of the Canadian oil industry. This has led to rapid economic growth. Today, it’s full of skyscrapers and has evolved into a cosmopolitan metropolis. Although it lacks the multiculturalism of other cities such as Toronto or Vancouver, this has changed in recent years.

Having a population of 1.3 million means that you won’t ever run out of things to do. You can enjoy outdoor activities, art and film events, and delicious food, all for a cheaper price than in some other Canadian cities.

Wondering About the Best Places to Live in Canada? Try One of These Five Places

Canada is a big country, which means that it can be difficult to know where to go if you’re planning to move there. Yet by following this guide that explains the five best places to live in Canada, you’re certain to move to the place that’s perfect for you.

What do you think is the best place to live and work in Canada? Make sure to let us know in a comment down below!

If you found this article to be helpful, don’t forget to check out some of our other blog posts to read more guides and tips.

 

Renovations per room can cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to more than $100,000. Yes—you read that number correctly. So, if you’re working with several rooms, your costs can quickly add up, perhaps being more than tens of thousands of dollars to bring your project to fruition.

It’s safe to assume that most of us don’t have that kind of money lying around. That’s why many homeowners turn to DIY home renovation to get the job done at an affordable price. There are several upgrades you can do without the help of contractors—updates that look great without breaking the bank.

Keep reading for some of our thriftiest tips!

Use Paint to Your Advantage

A fresh coat of paint is an instant makeover for any old home.

Repainting things like the interior and exterior walls, the front door, the kitchen cabinets, and the ceiling can bring an immediate facelift to a drab space. You can even paint things like the tiles of your bathroom floor as a way to update the bathroom without removing the flooring (which can be incredibly costly and time-consuming).

The best part is that paint is super budget-friendly and DIY-able. Choose timeless paint colors—i.e., natural hues instead of bold ones—and your paint job will stay classic well into the future.

If you’re not sure precisely what color you want to paint the walls, you can opt for a temporary solution of press-on wallpaper. Doing so looks great in the interim while you decide what permanent color schemes you’d like.

Focus on the Backsplash

The kitchen is a central part of any home, the place where people gather, eat, drink, and hang out in the mornings and evenings. We’ve already offered one tip for refreshing the kitchen: painting the kitchen cabinets. Another way to bring your outdated look into the present is by redoing the backsplash.

The backsplash is a much more affordable project than you might think. Choose from any number of patterned or solid tiles and place them wherever you cook often. Not only does this look great for an affordable price, but it cuts your cleaning time!

Bonus: you can even do brand-new tiles in the bathroom or shower for a quick upgrade there, too.

The average cost for a DIY backsplash is about $21 per square foot.

Utilize Small Upgrades

The cost of renovating an entire room can be overwhelming. Before you know it, you may find yourself Googling people who claim: we will buy any house! Before you take it that far, see if some small-but-mighty updates can improve the overall ambiance of your space.

Some practical, yet inexpensive, ideas include:

• New knobs on the doors and cabinets
• An update on the lighting fixtures in the home
• Fresh, modern wall art
• Potted plants on larger surfaces
• A deep clean of the siding of your home
• Hanging new shades or curtains over the windows

Of course, a decluttering of the entire home, with a focus on minimalism, will also make your space seem brighter and less crowded in no time.

DIY Home Renovation: You’ve Got This!

Who says you have to break the bank to bring your old home into the present?

Using these thrifty tips, your space will start to look great and renewed in no time. A DIY home renovation is where it’s at if you want to save money (and time) but still give your home a noticeable facelift.

For more great tips and tricks like this, keep scrolling our blog and coming back often for more!

 

Are you one of the 47% of people who’ve chosen to orchestrate a DIY move for their household relocation.

Moving needn’t be a stressful event when you plan carefully and pack well in advance.

Get started with this step by step guide on how to pack plates for moving to ensure everything gets there in one piece.

Assemble Everything You Need for Packing Dishes

Running out of packing supplies when packing plates is a recipe for disaster. It’s a bad idea to skimp on padding and wrapping when you’re moving with plates.

Make sure you’ve got ample supplies of all the following before you start:

• Packing paper
• Dish boxes
• Medium-sized boxes
• Packing tape
• Padding or bubble wrap
• Labels
• Marker pens

Dish boxes are specially-designed for plates and dishes with cardboard partitions built into reinforced boxes.

They’re not essential when packing plates for moving but it’s a good idea to invest in a few for those extra special pieces. You can usually buy them from a moving & storage company.

You can, of course, use a newspaper for wrapping your dishes. Be advised that newsprint will rub off on your dishes and plates in transit and can cause permanent stains.

If you decide to use a newspaper, you’ll have to wash all your dishes before you pack them away in your new home too.

Avoid using large boxes for packing dishes. It’s easy to get carried away and overload a box, which means it could break while your movers are transferring it in a or out of the moving van.

How to Pack Plates for Moving As The Pros Do It

Once you’ve assembled everything you need, you can get packing. It’s best to take all your plates out of your cupboards and arrange them by size before you start.

Here’s how to pack plates properly, step-by-step:

1. Assemble Your Boxes

Be sure to tape each box very well both top and bottom. They’ll be heavy when you’re done. Unless they’re taped very firmly, they could break or cave in.

Line the boxes with a thick layer of crumpled packing paper or bubble wrap.

2. Wrap Your Plates

Lay a sheet of packing paper out on a flat surface.

Place a dish in the center of the paper and fold the corners into the middle. Secure the paper with tape and then continue wrapping the plate until it’s completely covered. Tape again.

Repeat the process for each plate.

3. Pack Your Plates

Place your first plate on its side in the box. Then, slot the rest of the dishes alongside it.

When you pack plates on their side, they can absorb more shock. Avoid packing plates flat.

4. Fill in the Gaps

Once you’ve filled the box with plates, fill in the gaps with crumpled up pieces of paper. To finish, pile in balled up pieces of paper to the top of the box.

Ideally, the box shouldn’t weigh more than about 45 pounds when it’s filled and padded.

5. Seal the Boxes

Close the box flaps and secure them with tape. As a final safety measure label the box as fragile.

It’s a good idea to ensure this label’s visible from every angle. Placing a sticker on each side of the box is a good idea.

Get More Helpful Lifestyle Tips

We bet you only thought you knew how to pack plates for moving, right?

Are you ready to discover more about how to do things the correct way? Often a little research can reveal tips and tricks to make things a lot easier.

For more good advice on how to conquer life’s little obstacles keep browsing our blog.