Tips For Dressing Your Home For Success

Staging techniques focus on improving a property’s appeal by transforming it into a welcoming, attractive product that anyone might want’.

Known locally as property or home styling, home staging is more ‘art’ than an act. It is far more than just changing the cushions or the color of the doona. Done correctly, it can mean the difference between an interested viewer and the buyer who falls in love with your home at first sight.

The Selling Cycle Selling a staged home offers a variety of benefits for home owners.

These include:

  • Better online photos
  • More people at open homes
  • A more motivated vendor (seller)
  • A more motivated agent
  • Happier buyer
  • Faster sale
  • Higher price

Better online photos stimulate buyer interest and draw more people to your open home. The heightened interest and activity motivates and invigorates both vendor and agent. The more attention your home-for-sale receives, the more desirable it is to buyers.

In the perfect scenario, more than one buyer is willing to make a firm offer and the price is pushed upwards. Both agent and vendor are looking for a speedy sale at the right price. The highest bidder with the best terms wins. Ideally the successful buyer is happier because their new home seems more ‘special’ as a result of staging.

Industry Growth

Recent TV home renovation programs, such as The Block and The Renovators, outline the benefits of styling. This has stimulated an interest in staging and highlights the importance of property styling in marketing homes-for-sale.

And the word is spreading fast… On the Gold Coast there’s a growing awareness among vendors of the benefits of home staging over DIY property presentations or a ‘lived-in’ presentation. Lorena Chiappara, an agent with Ray White Robina Varsity agrees.

“Today’s buyer views on average 18 homes before making a buying decision. They are more educated and expect a higher standard,” she said.

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Gold Coast agents are recommending that vendors spend on property styling first, rather than dropping their price later. The top agents recognize this and have stylists as an integral part of their team.

Usefull Tips

1 Use the right size boxes.

2 Put heavier items on the bottoms of boxes, lighter items on top.

3 Don’t leave empty spaces in the boxes.

4 Avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same box.

5 Label each box with the room it’s destined for and a description of its contents.

6 Tape boxes well.

7 If you’re moving expensive art, ask your mover about special crating.

8 Bundle breakables.

9 Consider other items that will need special treatment.

“More and more home owners are awakening to the fact that ‘presentation sells’,” said Lorena.

Professionally presenting your home for sale can achieve stunning results in well-maintained occupied homes, vacant properties or deceased estates at any price point.

At the end of the day, an investment of (for example), $5,000 to make a property stand out in the marketplace can be far more attractive to both agents and sellers, rather than accepting a long stay on the market or a large drop in price.

Posted by / June 11, 2025 / Posted in home

Budget-Friendly Lighting Solutions for Your Pool

Pool lights are a great way to elevate the ambience of your pool or spa area. Quality light fixtures can make your pool the centerpiece of your outdoor area and a show-stopper at parties. They also make night swims that much more enjoyable – and safer.

However, the choice of technology is important. Using outdated lighting fixtures can set you back, not just in the initial installation, but also the cost of continued usage. The good news is you have a lot of choice, including some very cost-effective options that will outlast and outperform old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs.

Here’s everything you need to know about pool lighting options.

Key Considerations

Before you move on to selecting your pool lights, it’s a good idea to consider the outcome you’re looking for. How do you intend to use your pool area? Do you plan on throwing lots of pool parties with glitzy light shows or are you looking for something more low-key, such as a well-illuminated swimming area.

Also, think about how your pool is built. Is it a particularly large one? Is it situated indoors out outside? How will your pool lights mesh with the existing ambience around your pool?

Take into account the following factors:

Pool Size: Larger pools naturally require more lights, which adds to the cost. Typically, backyard pools that are 10 by 20 feet wide require only one light, whereas bigger ones might require more.

Spatial Design: The design and color palette of your pool area can affect the effectiveness of your lights. Lighter surface colors tend to reflect light better and give you more options in the color of your pool lights, whereas darker surfaces tend to absorb light. Using darker pool lights on a dark surface can diminish the effect and may even require you to use extra light fixtures.

Features: Do you want multiple built-in light shows? A remote dimmer or controller? All of this affects the type of technology you choose.

Environmental Impact: Certain lights, such as LED or solar-powered fixtures have a more positive impact on your carbon footprint, than say incandescent lights, or even halogens.

Pool Structure: If you have an above-ground swimming pool, you have a number of illumination options, from wall-mounted kits to magnetic lighting kits. In-ground pools will usually require light fixtures built into the walls.

Types of Pool Lighting Solutions

Incandescent or traditional “yellow” light bulbs are perhaps the most expensive option, since they’re not energy efficient at all. They also require frequent replacement, all of which can make it expensive to operate them. Here are a number of wallet-friendly lighting options for your pool.

LED Lights

LED is perhaps the most popular pool lighting technology out there. They offer excellent longevity and performance and are much more energy efficient than not using incandescent lights, but any other comparable lighting solution. This makes them the most cost-effective lighting fixtures available.

It’s worth noting that LED pool lights might cost you a little more upfront than some of the other options, but they make up for it in the long run, especially if you’re a frequent user of pool lights. They also come in a wide range of colors that you can change at will via a remote control, as well as exciting light effects.

Finally, LEDs are much safer than incandescent lights as well as other options. They don’t get hot after continued usage and don’t need replacing very often.

Fiber Optic Pool Lights

Fiber optic pool lights are unique in that both the power source and the light bulbs are located outside the water. They’re typically housed in a dry box away from the swimming pool. A cable transmits the light from the box to the pool, connecting to a sealed opening underwater.

The benefit of having fiber optic lights is that you don’t have to worry about mixing water and electricity; maintenance and repair are easy since it all happens via the dry box. If you have heightened safety concerns, for example with children using your pool, and you want multiple redundancies in place, fiberoptic might be the way to go.

On the flip side, they have a definite disadvantage as well. Since the fiber optic cable is used to transmit the light (not the electricity), it weakens significantly by the time it gets to the pool. This makes fiber optic lights less powerful than LED or halogens. They also have a shorter lifespan and need frequent replacement.

Halogens

Halogens were the first to replace old-style “yellow” light bulbs. They’re brighter than LED lights as well as cheaper to install upfront. The increased brightness can be attractive if you have a very large pool or if you’re simply looking for superior illumination. However, they’re a bit more expensive to operate than LED, and can also get fairly hot while in use.

Solar Lights

Solar lights, as you might imagine, are located entirely above water. Typically, these light fixtures aren’t capable of lighting up your entire pool, but floating on the water, they can add a pop of color and elevate the decor of your pool area. Many solar light models even feature rechargeable batteries and work well at night. Since they’re not dependent on an external power source, they cost you nothing to use, but are nowhere near as bright as your other options.

While LED pool lights are the most in-demand option at the moment, it’s up to you to see what works best for your pool space. Take some time to research your choices and review your suppliers. Consider the cost of long-term usage in addition to the cost of installation to see which is the most budget-friendly solution.

Posted by / June 11, 2025 / Posted in home

Tips For Cutting Your House Cleaning Time In Half

What if you learn new ways to clean your home in half the time as you used to? You’d get to finish all your household chores without having to block off a whole bunch. Here are a few tips to help you get started.

Have A System

If you want to reduce the time you spend cleaning your house, the first thing you have to do is create a system. That means you need to clean your home in the exact same order every time. You have to work with a specific room first, begin and end at the exact same place in every room so that there is no need for you to waste your precious time running from one area to another. The whole premise of having a system is to be consistent. You have to do the same thing every time you clean. This will become your routine, which is a good way of cleaning because the speed is due to the method being employed instead of doing things in a hurry. This is not a gimmick. You can really clean your home in half the time.

Top To Bottom Cleaning

You must not start cleaning any room by wiping the table and then the blinds. You will just see the dust that came from the blinds drop to your newly cleaned table. You have to start at the very top of any area such as the ceiling fan and then work your way down to the floor to avoid doing the cleaning all over again. Also, you have to start cleaning from the left and then move to the right instead of moving from one place and then to another.

Window Cleaning

Are you having problems getting that shine on your windows when you use paper towels and Windex? Maybe because you are using the wrong tools! You need to use an expert grade window squeegee to get this job done. Add a drop of dish soap to one gallon of water. Wipe it on the window using a cloth and then remove it using a squeegee. Be sure to start at the top and once you are at the bottom, don’t forget to wipe the blade before repeating the process. Once you are done, you will get a window that is streak free. In case a squeegee is not your favorite, you can use a glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Use horizontal strokes when wiping the window with a cloth. Don’t use circular motions because they can leave streaks. Don’t use paper towels or newspapers because they can also leave residue.

Prepare Your Tools

When cleaning your house, you have to make sure that all the cleaning tools and solutions you need are within arm’s reach. Doing so will prevent you from going back and forth. You can place your tools and solutions in the apron you are wearing or maybe in a bucket. If you are worried about the huge bottles, you always pour the cleaning solutions into smaller spray bottles, which you can carry easily.

Be Proactive

The first rule when it comes to keeping your home clean is to prevent problems before they even begin. For instance, prevent scum and grime buildup in your shower by using a shower cleaner.

Remove The Kitchen Grease

Grease will eventually wind up on your kitchen cabinets, especially those located next to or above the range. You can wipe off the grease using a cleaner. Just make sure that the solution contains orange oil. You can also go for a regular grease-cutting dishwashing solution, which is effective at getting rid of the grease. In case you are dealing with a tough stain that just won’t come off even if you are already using a strong detergent, you should consider a homemade cleaner. Combine water and baking soda. Scrub the solution on the problem spot using a cloth. starlighting led strip factory

Posted by / May 11, 2019 / Posted in home

6 Do-It-Yourself Keys To Stage Your Home

There are many discussions about the best way, to market and sell a house, to its greatest potential, and to assure, it, is displayed, in the best possible, light! However, there must be a balance, so the homeowner, avoids wasting money, yet enhances the way, his house, shows! While some larger, more expensive houses, may, benefit from, and should hire a quality, professional, home – stager, the cost of doing so, makes it counter – indicated, in several other circumstances. With that in mind, and with the hope of achieving, the best of both worlds, this article will briefly examine, and review, 6 do – it – yourself, relatively inexpensive ways, to stage, your home.

1. Clean; reduce clutter: Perhaps the single, best step, and component of showing your house, to its potential, is to pay keen attention, to maintaining its overall cleanliness, inside, and outside! Excessive clutter is often, not merely distracting, and shows a house, in a less than optimum light, but creates, a negative, first impression!

2. Examine decor; freshen – up; accentuate the positive: It’s unwise to spend, excessively, on new furniture and/ or furnishings, but it makes sense, to look objectively, and examine, simple ways, to improve the decor. Perhaps you might decide, to freshen the way it presents, by covering older, warn, sofas and chairs, with pleasant – looking, slip – covers! How might you accentuate certain areas, either by how you relocate furniture, lights, etc, or with lighting, accent – paints, etc?

3. Paint – Touch – up, and freshen: It’s often too costly to repaint one’s entire house, but it may make, a ton of difference, when you touch – up areas, which are most visible, while freshening, and refreshing, the overall look of the home!

4. Set scenes: Create little scenes, which provide a warmer, personal, friendly feeling! Using vases, in key locations, with colorful flowers, etc, fruit bowls, setting the table, with attractive place – settings, etc, often create an emotional, attraction, for potential buyers!

5. Lighting: You want to make certain, there is sufficient light, to show off, the most desirable features of the home! Certain areas might benefit from mood – lighting, while others are improved, by being certain, there are good quality bulbs, and the lighting is neither too bright, nor too dull. Use bulbs which create the best impression, in various locations, around the house!

6. Curb appeal: Power – wash sidewalks, foundation, walls and roofing, etc. Inspect windows, and clean them, thoroughly. Remove any accumulation of debris and/ or grime, from areas such as window – sills! What impression will potential buyers have, from the appearance of your front door? Remember, curb appeal is often, a key difference, between, enticing people, to look, in a favorable light, versus turning, them, off!

These 6 basic, simple, do – it – yourself, keys, often, make a significant difference, in achieving the best possible results! Will you be willing to work, with your real estate agent, as a team, and make the best impression?

Posted by / March 3, 2018 / Posted in home

5 Amazing Ways to Make a Big Statement in Small Bedrooms

Decorating a small bedroom can be a very challenging and tricky task as there is not enough space. Often we find ourselves confused about how we should go about decorating a small bedroom so that it looks grand. Check out these 5 smart ways to decorate your little space in your home so that it looks grand and classy.

1. Light Shades

While setting up the right color scheme for your bedroom, you should always consider going for lighter shades or patterns first. Why is that so? Because light shades of white or grey can ultimately give your bedroom an airier look and you will feel that more space is created in it so you can put some other decorative items in it too.Using dark shades or wall paints will give your bedroom a more congested look so try to avoid it.

2. Windows

Bedroom décor is incomplete without a good looking window. Natural light is considered to be a valuable asset by home décor experts as the light brightens your bedroom so effortlessly that you will be amazed about it yourself.Putting up a nice pair of silk fabricated or velvet woven curtains will add more charm and class to your bedroom décor if you will tie them up with the window in the form of drapes.

3. Bookshelves

Adding a bookshelf or rack to your bedroom will help save a lot of space as it would cover not organize the books and magazines in your room but also you can use the shelves to include decorative items personalize your space. Moreover, you can also turn the headboard of your bed into a bookshelf as well.In this way; you will be not be compelled to add more storage space in your room.

4. Accessories

From little to big, every accessory in your bedroom contributes towards the overall décor. Same goes for the beddings as well.

Try using floral or abstract patterned bed spreads, polyester comforters or blankets and light colored cushions or pillow sets. Moreover, you can give your bed a more curved outlook rather than the huge giant look so that it takes up less space in your bedroom.

5. Mirrors

Don’t hesitate to use a pair of huge mirrors either embedded in the dressing table or just hanged on any of the walls in your bedroom. See how adding a mirror can transform the entire outlook of your bedroom in a jiffy and will give it a more royal and grand ambiance.

Posted by / August 5, 2017 / Posted in home

Giving Your Bedroom a Modern Appearance

Modern styles are definitely popular when it comes to the home. Why not go for a modern bedroom that lightens the atmosphere and allows it to be more interesting? Here is how you can do it.

The idea of modernism is minimalism. Modern styles use many geometric shapes and neutral colours such as black, white and grey. The personalisation is added with the smaller design elements such as the mirrors, bedding, curtains and door handles.

Built in shelves and high bookshelves are both great. Built in shelves or cupboards allow you to have more space. Bookshelves that reach the ceilings give you more places to place your books and ornaments so that you won’t have to get a second unit.

Float your bed. Not literally, of course! Build a pedestal for your bed and use that space underneath the unit to store your clothes and shoes. This might also be sufficient as extra storage for your bedding and it will give you more wall space for any other items.

Install bedside lamps on your wall. Then you won’t need to have a bedside table. Or you won’t need a very large bedside table, anyway. One that’s just small enough to place your phone and book on will be sufficient and space saving.

The fun part comes in when you can add a personal touch to decorate your bedroom. Add mirrors with colourful frames, use creative wall stickers of words or a phrase that you love. You could find modern mirrors such as interesting lipstick mirrors at popular furniture stores. This allows your bedroom to reflect who you are which will make you feel more comfortable.

Use bright and bold throws to decorate your bed at a minimal while keeping the theme of modernism. Match the scatter cushions with the same colour as the throws and add additional cushions with a pattern.

Make white the main colour if you have a small bedroom. White creates the illusion of space. White is also a simple colour that allows you to experiment with lots of bolder and brighter tones in the decor. Technically, so does black but it will give the illusion of smaller space which makes the atmosphere seem crowded.

Experiment with odd geometric shapes. You can do this with most bookshelves or paintings. The geometric shapes in the décor will give you a fun and free feeling that is in line with modernism.

Posted by / August 5, 2017 / Posted in home

Decorating Your Home With French Country Style

Do you love the curve of a graceful turned leg? Is button upholstery your passion? Is your favorite color “toile”? Just kidding… it’s a pattern! You’ve come to the right place!

French Country is not just a decorating style, it’s a mindset. On the one hand, it’s a particular look, and always vintage with a hint of nostalgia. On the other hand, anything goes. You can mix materials and textures and just have fun with it.

Some hints: Try to stay with soft yellow, baby blues, and creams. Unless you’re working with a particular French country motif, such as roosters, sunflowers, or lavender. Use baskets, wire or woven, to get a rustic feel. Keep natural materials in mind while you’re decorating. Natural stone, wool, cotton, wood. And, back to toile. It really defines French country.

Let’s start with the most important room, the bedroom. What style bed do you want? You can go from a pared down wrought iron bed… painted a nice cream color. Or, take it all the way to an ornate Sofia bed with button upholstery. Do you prefer a sleigh bed, or maybe something with a canopy? Any of these will work, as long as you have an armoire. No decent French bedroom would be without an armoire. If it has a crackle paint finish, even better. Do your best to fit some toile into your private oasis.

In the dining room, keep it welcoming, old world, and rustic. Mismatched chairs are okay… just paint them the same color. Pair them with a wooden or metal table. Keep the window treatments light, but indulge yourself with a beautiful chandelier. You may want to use shutters for an old world feel.

Will your kitchen have a theme? Roosters and olives are popular for the kitchen. Bring in the baskets and jars to give your kitchen the country feel. A kitchen table should be painted wood. Bring the natural elements into play.

Now to the living room. You have a lot of options here as well. A chaise lounge will do well in the bedroom, but it’s right at home in the French country living room as well. You have a wide variety of chairs that will suit your room, and you’re free to mix and match. Take a look at the traditional French accent chair, the French provincial chair, the wingback style, and the medallion armchair, all keeping with the French country style. Or… just go for an oversized armchair. Here again, if you like button upholstery, buy it. Lots of people think it gives the furniture an elegant, finished look. Is there room for toile in the living room? Okay, let’s move on.

I like the lavender theme best in the bath, but some people like to incorporate it into the bedroom or kitchen. It’s just a matter of preference. Vive la difference!

The most important think about choosing furniture and decorating with it is to have fun. If you feel overwhelmed, get a second opinion. There are many furniture companies that specialize in French Country furniture. You shouldn’t have trouble finding an interior decorator to help you choose some pieces for your French country home.

Posted by / August 5, 2017 / Posted in home

Creating Peace With a Home Altar

The home altar is enjoying a definite comeback in many American homes. Although it is not an entirely new idea, as home altars or chapels were all the rage for the great houses and castles built across Europe. Many Eastern religions encourage a personal and direct connection with the Divine power through daily prayers at a home altar. Soldiers throughout thousands of years carried talismans of their religion with them as a form of a portable altar that they could take with them in their travels.

Your home altar can be as simple or elaborate as you choose it to be. However, regardless of your beliefs, you can create a place in your home that honors your faith and Higher Power.

Some basic ideas:
*Find a place for your altar that is easily approachable. You do not want to have to move your altar every time you want to set the table for dinner.

*Get a piece of nice fabric or lace for an altar cloth. Although not required, but it helps support the idea that the space is “special”.

*A small statue of a religious figure (Buddha, Christ, etc.) or a representation of nature is a good focal point.

*A small candle.

*An incense stick holder and incense sticks.

*Create your altar so that it appeals to you and your connection with your Higher Power.

*A spiritual-themed book or the primary source for your religion.

*Once you have created your altar, ask for the blessings of your higher power to bless your own sacred space.

When you feel you have completed your altar, make it an essential part of your daily life.

Ideas for utilizing your home altar:

*Giving thanks for the day, your life, or any other blessings you may have received

*As a place for meditation or prayer

*A place to bring your troubles and to work out emotional pain

*A place to renew your faith

*Write it down a desire to manifest on a slip of paper and leave it on your altar.

An altar can be a place of community and healing within the home. Invite family members or housemates to make their own contributions to the altar and allow them to see how you incorporate your beliefs into your everyday life. This can encourage them to give the Spirit a more emphasized place in their lives. The point of setting up an altar is to honor your connection with your spiritual nature, so make it happen.

Posted by / August 5, 2017 / Posted in home

10 Eye Catching Bathroom Ideas

It can never be imagined that how this confined place can give an awesome luxurious feeling within us if we can decorate the place in a unique way. The more you can design the bathroom in a lavish way, more you will be able to make it a comfort zone.

Let us take 10 possible ways of bathroom decoration, which can convert the bathroom in an ultimate de-stressing zone.

The courtyard bath

This will really be a unique way to design the bathroom. Courtyard bathing is just perfect for alfresco bathing. In this kind of bathroom, you will get a spa-like experience. Such outdoor bathing place is needed to be enclosed with trees and ferns. Here one can surely use the backsplash mosaic so that it will add tenderness to the whole place.

The pool with a view

Bathroom designed with marbles is all time favorite among the homeowners as these are easy to maintain. Here you can opt for the floor to ceiling glass windows so that your bathroom can get an abundance of sunlight.

The natural bath

This is a conventional way to design a bathroom. The periphery of the shower can be designed with greenery and the bathtub will be flower covered. This will give a Caribbean feel.

The travertine bath

For every penthouse bathroom, marble is known to be the best designing tool. This will separate the wet area within the bathroom with frameless glass door with a frosted look.

The library bath

The louvered windows here will surely make the way to enter more sunlight. The bathtub can be placed on a wooden platform which will no doubt give an extraordinary look to the bathroom.

The ensuite bath

This style is catching up very fast and people are loving it hugely. The best thing about this style is that these are open ensuite which covering the bedroom and the bathroom.

The eclectic washroom

This type of washroom can easily be designed with a soft gray wall and ultimately this bathroom will develop into an elegant place.

The vintage powder room

This type of washroom is decorated with antique mirror and mini bathtub like a basin. This design is just awesome and will give you extreme refreshment.

The freshly whitewashed bathroom

The ultimate freshness you will get from this design. You can add bold color and exclusive hand painted walls with yellow shade. Here you can place triangular wall pocket for the lamps so that it will become completely contemporary in look.

The palace bath

When you will visit a palace, if you enter their bathroom, the arches and shapes will surely make the bathroom more gorgeous and speaks about the luxury!

Posted by / August 5, 2017 / Posted in home

Interior Design Ideas for the Home and Office

When you bought a house or leased an office space, the next thing you will think of is designing the space to something you love or suit your style and purpose. It will be a problem if you just do it on your own unless you are a professional interior designer. Apparently, if you need one, there are experts in interior design who can help you achieve the design you want for your haven or office. However, if you are on a limited budget, then you will need these interior design ideas that will help you to jumpstart the job and have a guide to follow.

You can have a fabulous home or office with some inexpensive interior design ideas below:

Home Interior Design

Make it Cosy. Everyone wants to come to a relaxing home after a long day outside. To do this, bring lots of subtle colours and soft lines to help bring a sense of warmth and comfort to any space.

Go Trendy. A trendy style can bring life into your home. Brickwork and beams are good materials to add a trendy look. This style will also bring a sense of maturity as well as a mixture of vintage and modern look that never goes out of style.

Would you like it bohemian? Bohemian are for explorers who prefer to be unique. If you are like this, bright colours and vibrant patterns should be your priorities. For a more daring or messy yet beautiful look, try adding eastern flavour to the theme.

Bring in the natural light. You can incorporate windows and glass doors to give the light a chance to enter your home. It’s actually up to you as long you find a way to get light into the right areas of the house. Also, choose the right blinds as this will also compliment the light.

Add nature in your home. They say there are psychological benefits of adding outdoor or nature vibe in your home. Some pots and plants will make it relaxing to stay indoors.

Include arts within your home. Any artwork can add depth to the look of the interior. The art pieces you choose to display can have direct feel of the space. It’s good to get some outdoor-inspired artwork or family portraits in the great outdoors to bring natural look to your home.

Office Interior Design

Usually, businesses hire interior designers to work on the design of the office space. But some small business prefer to do it on their own since they usually have a smaller space. Business owners should keep in mind that offices are not just about workstation but area for collaboration. There’s always an affordable commercial office interior design service that can assist them but if they prefer to it themselves, here are some tips:

To avoid eating spaces for electrical outlets on walls and on floors, you can try the latest modular power grid that is suspended from a ceiling and offers drop-down lighting and outlets.

Furniture choices should be carefully assessed. In a small office, it’s not about quantity but quality yet stylish pieces which can help elevate a look.

Instead of creating workstations for computer and its components, you can opt for laptops instead so you would just need a durable table to serve as workstations for the rest of the team.

Interior design is a hard task and the experts here studied for years to provide services. You can always find the best interior design company that suit your purpose and budget. But if you want to style your own space and experience the work itself, then the interior design ideas mention above can be your guide.

Posted by / August 5, 2017 / Posted in home