What is Sensible Living?
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What Are We Up To?
 Smart Housing for Sensible LivingGenerally a large number of houses are purchased from the mainstream housing market and this is the trend in almost every country. Over the last few years, the general awareness in the housing industry of sustainability issues has been undoubtedly increased. However, mainstream housing providers are still unwilling to take the risk of transforming the traditional housing and associated neighbourhood design process radically for the sake of achieving sustainability. As a result, ordinary people are struggling to procure appropriate houses to suit their lifestyle requirements and this makes it almost impossible for them to achieve a sensible living.
Top 10 Considerations for Your House Design1. Orientation:
The north side in the southern hemisphere and the south side in the northern hemisphere are warmer in winter and the best places for rooms you use a lot, like living areas. The west side in both hemispheres gets hot in the afternoon and is best for rooms you don’t use often, like bathrooms, garages and laundries. The south side in the southern hemisphere and the north side in the northern hemisphere are the coolest and good for bedrooms in warmer climates, as well as rooms you don’t use often. The east side in both hemispheres gets morning sun and is good for breakfast rooms, kitchens and bedrooms. 2. External Colours: Light coloured external walls and roof sheeting absorb less heat from the sun than dark colours, ensuring the home remains cooler. 3. Roof Eaves: Wide overhangs provide shade to external walls and windows, helping to keep the home cool and protect it from the elements. 4. Water Heating: Energy efficient hot water systems such as solar hot water, natural gas and electric heat-pumps will lower your water heating bill and reduce the households carbon footprint by an average of 4 tonnes of CO2 per year. 5. Breezeways and Zoning: Position the windows and doors to provide good cross-ventilation throughout all rooms of the house. This will help catch the breezes and cool the home. Use internal doors to separate areas of the house so if you do have to heat or cool your home, it can be a smaller area. 6. Insulation: Insulation acts as a barrier to heat flow and is essential to keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer. A well insulated and well designed home will provide year-round comfort, cutting cooling and heating bills by up to half. This, in turn, will reduce the households carbon footprint. 7. Ceiling Fans: Fans will create movement of air, increasing comfort in the home. 8. Look for the Stars: Make water and energy efficiency a top priority for appliances and fixtures. 9.. Lighting: Make smart lighting choices. 10. Stormwater Pollution: Where possible, include a grassed area adjacent to the driveway so vehicles can be washed on the grass instead of the driveway. This will prevent vehicle wash-down water from ending up in local waterways. |
 Orientation: One of the Top Considerations for Your House DesignAs you live in your house through summer and winter, you should design it for both seasons. It is important to be comfortable for the entire year and not just for a single season. In this context, one of the top design considerations for your house is its orientation.
However, the orientation aspect will vary based on the geographical location where you live. If you live in a country which belongs to the southern hemisphere (which are Australia, New Zealand, countries in the South Pacific, the southern part of Africa, and the South American countries) then the northerly aspect is the best for your house. Again, if you live in a country which belongs to the northern hemisphere (which are the North American, European, Asian and North African countries) then the southerly aspect is the best for your house. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, no matter where you are in the world. Also keep in your mind that the sun is always higher in the summer sky and lower in the winter sky in both hemispheres. The north side in the southern hemisphere and the south side in the northern hemisphere are warmer in winter and the best places for rooms you use a lot, like living areas. The west side in both hemispheres gets hot in the afternoon and is best for rooms you don’t use often, like bathrooms, garages and laundries. The south side in the southern hemisphere and the north side in the northern hemisphere are the coolest and good for bedrooms in warmer climates, as well as rooms you don’t use often in colder climates. The east side in both hemispheres gets morning sun and is good for breakfast rooms, kitchen, family living and outdoor spaces. |
Tips for Healthy LivingIt is never too late to get moving and start eating healthier. Just take small steps and track your progress. The rewards will be lifelong.
Save water, it will save you later!Fresh water is a renewable resource. People and wildlife depend on water to live, but the world's supply of clean, fresh water is steadily decreasing. Water demand already exceeds supply in many parts of the world and as the world population continues to rise. If we don't make efforts to conserve, protect, and restore this valuable resource, we may be putting all living beings at risk.
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Useful Remodeling Ideas - BEFORE You Get Started!
Home remodeling can be done for function or just because the house needs a new look, or a combination of the two. The focus of home remodeling for most homeowners is usually the kitchen or the bathrooms because those are the rooms that add the most value to a home and can become outdated more quickly. Just as in fashion, home décor goes through fads, and typically if bathrooms and kitchens have not been remodeled for ten years or more, it's obvious!
How many times have we heard the jokes about the ambitious do-it-yourself homeowner who starts project after project, only to stop in the middle and not finish any one of them? Usually the weekend warrior runs out of time, or perhaps money, or maybe he or she realizes that much more has been bitten off than can possibly be chewed. The results are evident - half-finished paintjobs that leave some walls in one color while others sport another; flooring has been exposed but never finished; kitchen cabinets are leaning against the wall yet will not be anchored in for weeks or perhaps months. Sadly, many a homeowner neglected to receive some sound remodeling tips prior to embarking on their tasks. To this end, here are some tips and tricks that will you to get off to a good start, before you actually pick up your checkbook or your tools!
One of the first remodeling tips that are usually neglected is the fact that it should have a general appeal. Granted, this may be common sense, yet it is astounding how many homeowners add or take away from their homes in such a way that a future sale is compromised. While the homeowner may think that a purple bathroom with yellow handprints is just darling, the potential buyer who tours the house two years down the line will probably wrinkle his nose at this décor faux pas. In the same way, if you decide to add on to your home, do it with an eye on the investment potential. In other words, do not do a half-fast job yourself, but instead pull the proper permits and hire licensed contractors to at least take a look before the building inspector stops by.
Experts have a tool box full of different small bathroom remodeling ideas, but most can be grouped into two categories: creating light and creating visual space. The illusions of space and light complement each other and expand a small space. Anyone who has tried to apply makeup in a small dark room knows how important light is, and it's created in a variety of ways, both natural and artificial. Natural light comes from windows, skylights, and any other opening that allows sun into the space. Whenever possible, windows should be left uncovered or only lightly covered by a filmy white or light-colored window covering. Paint colors from the cool end of the color spectrum reflect and enhance natural light, as do mirrors and light-colored flooring. Even a light-colored, inexpensive rug used to cover a dark floor can brighten up a space. Artificial light, originating from ceiling lights, wall sconces or lamps, can also brighten a space when employed artfully. Recessed lighting, which creates the illusion of space as well as light, could also be a viable option for you. Just be sure to use artificial light that is bright without being oppressive. Look in your home and garden store for special bulbs that can be used to effectively diffuse the light.
Other remodeling tips include the popularity versus functionality of a desired item, as well as value for the items. For example, just because recessed lighting is the latest fad, it may not be the lighting of choice for the bathroom where it may create dark spots and shade in undesirable areas. In addition to the foregoing, the value of the items purchased should remain intact, thus adding value to the home rather than simply costing money. Thereafter it is a smart idea to do a bit of research to see where home decorating trends are headed. Some old time favorites, such as ceiling tiles or even marble counter tops, are becoming a thing of the past, and if you are wondering about adding value to your home it is best to decorate with the market in mind. Naturally, not all homeowners will look to sell their properties within the next few years or until after the next remodel, yet this rule of thumb is certain to add value to the biggest investment you will ever make rather than just drain the bank account.
Hopefully these remodeling tips have added a little bit of common sense to the mix of weekend projects and large undertakings, and the next time you contemplate a project, please be sure to think it through from beginning to end before your jump into the car to head to the local big box store for supplies!
About the Author: M. Johnsona operates a variety of collectible websites and newsletters. Visit the website for many coin collecting tips. www.remodelingtipcenter.com
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Home Staging - an essential merchandising tool for resale
If you are wondering what Home Staging (or House Fluffing) is all about, here is a definition for you: MSN Encarta dictionary defines Home Staging as the act of "beautifying a home for sale: cleaning, repairing and updating the decor and furnishings of an older home to make it more attractive when shown to potential buyers." Actually, I believe that ANY home can use some staging before being put on the market. Remember, the way we live in a home and the way we want to sell a property are two completely different things. When we sell a property, there is no room for emotions - after all, it's probably our biggest financial investment and, so, we want the biggest possible return on it!
The concept dates from 1970s, when a California realtor and decorator noticed that the properties she took the time to «stage» sold faster and for more money than the average. Today, it's an important marketing/merchandizing tool in the USA (and spreading to Canada from the West) for the realtors and the home owners alike and it's especially important in a slow market, where you need every advantage over your competition. TV shows, such as Designed to Sell and Flip that House demonstrate that a bit of effort and a small investment can transform a property and make a BIG difference at sale time!
The logic is strikingly simple: when you decide to sell your used car, wouldn't you clean, wash and fix it up before reselling it? You should do the same for your house, which is probably your biggest investment and presents an opportunity for a biggest return.
First impressions count for a lot, especially today, when most buyers pre-select the properties they are interested in on Internet. If your photos don't show your house at its best, you are probably missing out on dozens of potential buyers. The same is true for the visitors - when they come, make them feel «at home», create that first impression which will make them fall for YOUR house.
Statistics vary from marketplace to marketplace but, on average, a staged home can sell 30%-50% faster and for 2%-10% more money than a comparable unstaged home. So, a few hundred dollars invested can bring you back thousands! And a home staging consultation costs a lot less than a first price reduction on the property.
A professional Staging consultant looks at your property with a buyer's eye and will recommend some easy and inexpensive solutions to enhance its value - such as decluttering, depersonalizing, and reorganizing your furniture and artwork.
The end result: your house «shows» better than its competition and it sell faster and for more money!
Author Bio
This article is written by Sveta Melchuk, Founder of Home Staging Montreal, a Montreal firm that has been working with sellers and realtors since 2005 to enhance the properties for sale.You can visit www.home-staging-montreal.com for more information, tips and advice on Home Staging and Interior redesign.
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