Property ownership is not just about living in a home. You may also want tips on increasing your property value so that you can sell it on at some point. Perhaps your house is already on the market and you are finding it difficult to sell. Did you know there are tangible ways of increasing your property value by putting some effort into landscaping? I was impressed with a report from Sloane and Sons telling you the best ways to go about it.

First impressions

When a potential purchaser visits your home, it is great if they are impressed even before they get to the front door. It is a really good idea to tie in the period and style of your house with the outside space. Also ensure your outside space has interest and colour all year around because you cannot guarantee the date that your perfect buyer will arrange to call. If there is anything unsightly around such as a wheelie bin, work out ways to mask it from view.

Think about your ideal purchaser

Make it simple for the buyer so perhaps decking works well with a modern home whereas someone looking at an escape to the country may want roses around the door. Your estate agent is your friend as they will probably be far better than you at guessing what sort of individual or family are most likely to make you an offer. If in doubt research shows that a balance of grass, low-maintenance plants and a pleasant seating area appeals to many. Most purchasers will appreciate that there will not be loads of work to do when they move in but will also want the scope to stamp their personality on the outside space. It’s a balancing act.

Simple and effective landscaping tips

Sometimes things don’t have to cost a lot to make a big impression. Edging your lawn properly is one of them. Placing trellis to hide a bin or similar is another. These immediately promote the idea that your home is well cared for and kept clean and tidy. Having a shed means potential buyers can see storage possibilities or even an escape from other family members. A patio or decking area will have them dreaming of social events and barbecues. Lighting can be over-looked and yet makes a huge difference to the ambience of your outside space.

Consult the experts

If you are like me, you may not have a lot of gardening knowledge. The wonderful news it that people who love gardening also generally like to share their expertise. Talk to a green-fingered friend or family member. Call in at your local garden centre and ask for advice. If you really don’t have a clue and have let your garden go, consider hiring a landscape gardener.

For more guidance check out Landscaping Tips That Will Increase Your Property Value today.

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Most of us agree which room is the heart of the home but how do your transform your kitchen on a budget? Most families spend a lot of time in the kitchen cooking, eating and chatting together. It is often also the place where children do their homework or carry out hobbies. Kitchens matter so they are worth investing in but equally you don’t want to get into a heap of debt to get your dream kitchen.

Wonderful worktops

So many worktops are so dull. I find the better the worktop the more motivated I am to keep the kitchen sparkling clean which is of course a very good thing. I don’t like beige looking ones and I  think granite is getting a bit samey now too. I need style combined with practicality. I like the sound of Compac composite worktops which are moisture and stain resistant. Even better they stand up against cracks, chips, scratches and extreme temperatures. So it seems they are ideal for a busy family home like mine. I thought colours might be limited but am happy to report there are so many to choose from and my current front-runner is Compac Orange.

Luscious lighting

Lighting adds so much to mood and I need bright spaces. Again don’t stick to the tried and tested. Check out interior design magazines or online stores for the latest kitchen trends and go bolder than you normally would. You have signature dishes from your kitchen so why not have statement lighting too? Think carefully about the different lighting needs you have in your kitchen. In some areas safety and seeing clearly may be a priority whereas in another it might be more about creating a romantic atmosphere.

Cute cabinets

Cabinets cost a lot of money so make the most of the ones you have by painting them in your favourite colour and adding funky handles. If you want to be really bold in your design, consider different colours for different cupboards. Do you have enough storage space or could you add more cabinets perhaps seeing if you can find some second-hand? Often there is space on the walls for more storage whether cabinets or shelving. Shelving is cool too as it means you can a personal touch with plants, quirky or retro items and artworks.

Wow windows

I can tell you from bitter experience that I don’t think curtains work well in kitchens. You create a mess in the kitchen one way or another so you may be cleaning your curtains every two seconds. Invest in a roman, roller or venetian blind. I love colour and again the choice of blind can help make your kitchen express your personal style. By the way, floors are also a great place to show off your own tastes fashion wise from tiling to colourful laminates. Perhaps you are more traditional and would like a wooden country feel or even flagstones. Be realistic especially if you have children and pets and ensure floors and other areas of the  kitchen are as easy to clean as possible.

Small touches

Sometimes it is the smaller things that make all the difference. Choose compact appliances for your worktops so you have space to work with. I have just done this and bought a tiny but perfectly formed coffee maker. Add colour wherever you can to brighten your day from cushions to seat covers, from table-clothes to tea towels. It won’t surprise you to know that I often find retro kitchenware as talking points for my home from the charity shop.

Above all, transform your kitchen to suit your needs and if you don’t like a particular fashion, don’t follow it. Who knows? You might start a whole new trend yourself.

Start with the foundations

The main feature of most of our gardens is the big patch of grass that we call the lawn. With it being the foundation of every garden, it makes perfect sense to prioritise winter lawn care and keep it looking lush even in the colder months. There are a number of ways that you can give your cold-looking lawn some TLC in winter.

Make sure to keep it clear of leaves and debris so it has room to breathe. You could take this further by using a rake or sharp-ish object to poke small holes in the lawns surface for aeration. This helps to allow air to reach the root system and makes for better overall lawn health. Instead of throwing the fallen leaves straight in your green bin, you could use them to make your own compost heap with a mixture of kitchen waste or shred them and place around the stems of your more delicate plants.

Another point to note is that the more you keep off the lawn, the better. As tempting as it may be to get stuck in with winter lawn care if your lawn is looking defeated, it’s a good idea to keep off as much as possible. This will minimise damage and allow it time to rest – even grass deserves a break once in a while!

Another option to keep your lawn happy is to book in some seasonal winter lawn treatments. Greensleeves offer a wide range of professional but affordable lawn care service all year round, so you can even keep your lawn thriving in freezing temperatures without having to lift a finger.

 Animal shelters

 Although winter lawn care is important, there are other aspects to consider. You could get crafty and create some animal shelters, whether these be for birds, hedgehogs, or bugs. This will encourage wildlife to enter your garden and most likely stick around, if they’ve got somewhere to keep warm. It’s always nice to look outside and see the garden full of life. Once you’ve made your shelters make sure they have food inside and you could keep track of the animals that you’ve noticed.

 Decorate

It seems like these days people are increasingly early with whipping out their festive decorations around the house. But there’s nothing saying that you can’t compliment your winter lawn care with some outdoor decor. You could create your own autumnal or Christmas wreaths or go and buy a pristine one from the local garden centre. Fairy lights are another guaranteed easy way to turn your garden into a magical winter wonderland, even if they only cost you a few pounds!

 Keep planting

It’s a common misconception that plants and vegetables cannot survive the winter. Hence many gardens get left to their own devices around this time of year. However, as well as keeping on top of your winter lawn care, there are plenty of trees, shrubs and vegetables that you can grow in your garden even in freezing temperatures. To keep your garden looking festive and winter wonderland-esque you could plant red berries along with white Clematis Jingle Bells. Using seasonal coloured plants is a great way to get your garden feeling christmassy without having to go out and buy decorations, because let’s face it, they cost a small fortune these days.

 If you want guaranteed results but think your winter lawn care would be better off done by the professionals, you can visit Greensleeves at https://www.greensleeves-uk.com/ or give them a call on 0808 100 1413.