During my time as a home owner, mother and interior designer, I have learnt a thing or two about making a house a home. I have learnt some key shortcuts to cleaning and I know exactly what to do to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
I feel like with so many years’ experience, it’s only fair that I pass my knowledge and tips onto new homeowners, help those looking to give their tired rooms a new lease of life and offer advice to those who don’t want to spend a fortune on remodelling their home.
Some of these tips have been passed down from my mother and grandmother, others have been learnt in the trade, and others just work for me.
1. Keep on Top of Things
I never have half a day spare, and even if I did, I probably wouldn’t spend it on my hands and knees scrubbing the kitchen floor. The key for me is to do little and often to keep on top of my house cleaning so as I’m not daunted.
I don’t like cleaning, like many others so just doing the dusting and hoovering one way, cleaning the windows another and tidying up as the day goes by, I find I can keep on top of the house, in short, one hour spurts.
2. Do you Research
If you’re wanting to hire an interior designer, want to extend your house or even want to repaint the living room, always do your research.
This especially applies when you’re hiring in help, go off recommendations as much as possible and always ask to see their previous projects. If you’re forking out for someone to redesign your home, you want it to be perfect.
3. Think Ahead
Thinking ahead is key to limiting the ageing of your house and interiors. Trends come and go within years so what’s chic and cool now may look really dowdy in 18-months’ time.
Try and see beyond the trend and always get an older and younger person’s advice, they’ll know more than you think. Not only will this save you time and money but it will also future proof your interiors.
4. Be Practical
We all want a stunning glass staircase and stain glass windows as a centre piece but really how practical is this. One, if you have children that staircase will become your worst nightmare and what happens when a pane in the stain glass window cracks and it costs you hundreds of pounds to replace. Be practical and again, like tip number three, think ahead.
I’m not saying you can’t have nice things, of course, you can, but just be conscious that this interior will hopefully last you 10 years.
5. Prepare for the Changing Seasons
When the cold winter months hit it is quite common to feel stressed and overcome by all you have to do. From clearing the mounding leaves in the garden to ensuring no one slips on the icy pathway and keeping the house warm, there is so much to do in the lead up to winter, and that’s before you’ve even started to think about Christmas. Being prepared for the season ahead will mean that you’re able to declutter in mind and house and entering a fresh start in the new season.
6. Less is More
This is something which my mother told me when I moved into my first apartment and wanted to pair a neon pink sofa in a room painted with egg duck walls. Less is certainly more, I have grown into a minimal person and although I understand this isn’t to everyone’s taste, always take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Your home is your paradise so neutralise the tones and make it somewhere where your mind can relax.
7. Invest
There are certain things in your home which just shouldn’t be done on the cheap. I’m talking about roofs, boilers, external work and windows. These are all big jobs and if done right to a high quality, will hopefully last a lifetime, yet if done wrong, they can end up costing you, even more, money and time, which leads me onto my next tip.
8. Cover yourself
I can’t stress this enough, home insurance is a must.
God forbid anything happens, a pipe bursting, a fire or a robbery you never know what is around the corner so cover yourself and be prepared should the worst ever occur. This will give you peace of mind and reassurance and can honestly be a life saver.