Buy and Sell Saskatoon Real Estate

Tidy up the garage, clean the patio furniture or finally get around to that DIY project…we all have a list of projects around the house that seems to grow faster than you can finish it.

Now that you might be spending more time around the house, why not use this as an opportunity to start a new project or get around to a few of those chores you’ve been putting off? To help you get started, we’re sharing a list of around-the-house tasks for a quiet or rainy day. 

1. Tidy the garage

The ultimate “I’ll do it one day” project: cleaning out the garage. Start this project on a dry day so you can pull everything out onto the driveway or the lawn. Set aside what you want to get rid of and organize it into three piles: toss, donate and sell. Group what’s left by category (for example, sporting goods, tools, luggage, paint or kid’s items). 

Once the garage is empty, use kitty litter, sawdust or cornmeal to soak up any grease or oil. Sweep it up and then use dish detergent, water and a scrub brush to clean any stains. When repacking the garage, put less-used items on harder to reach shelves or in labelled storage containers, while keeping frequently used items in sight and easy to access. 

2. Soundproof a room

If your house is currently functioning as a home office, classroom and doggy daycare, you’re probably finding out exactly how soundproof each room is. Fortunately, there are some easy ways you can minimize sound travelling between rooms without making permanent changes. Hanging drapes, adding rugs and carpets, setting up a bookcase or investing in new doors are some solutions. Get more tips in our post about six easy ways you can soundproof a room.

3. Boost the Wi-Fi signal in your home

Whether it’s the basement, backyard or corner bedroom, there’s likely a space in your home where the Wi-Fi doesn’t work properly. To improve your online experience around the home, try putting a password on your network, using a router with four or more antennas or getting a signalbooster. To find out more about what might be causing your wireless woes and how to fix them, read our comprehensive guide to choosing the right Wi-Fi for your home.

4. Clean your patio furniture

Whether you store your patio furniture inside, cover it up with a tarp or leave it outdoors to brave the elements, your patio furniture is probably in need of some TLC before the summer season. Use soapy water and a soft brush or sponge to clean dirt and dust off your metal, wicker or wooden patio set (to avoid scratches, be sure to not use anything abrasive). 

If your patio set has cushions with removable covers, follow the washing instructions on the tag. For cushion covers that can’t be removed, use soap and water to scrub dirt and stains and leave cushions outside to dry.

5. Reupholster a chair

You might think that reupholstery projects are best left to a professional, but with some simple instructions and basic tools, you can bring new life to a treasured piece in just a few hours. Plus, you can use up fabric you might already have around the house like an old set of curtains, denim or other scraps. 

To set yourself up for success, start simple by choosing a chair or cushion with straight lines. Next, read our guide to DIY upholstery to find out what tools you’ll need and how to get started.

6. Set up your smart home

Maybe you never got around to setting up your smart washing machine, or maybe you want to be able to turn the kettle on from your bed. Smart appliances or smart add-ons can make those everyday chores easier and safer. Read our guides to smart appliances and smart home hubs and devices, and you won’t have to worry about whether or not you turned off the oven before leaving the house again. 

7. Purge your closet

Does it fit? Do you love it? Do you wear it? If you can answer “no” for any item in your closet, it’s time for a purge. Follow our guide to Kondo-ing your clutter to find out how to clean out and reorganize your closet to keep it functional and organized. If your local clothing donation location (like Goodwill or Salvation Army) is currently closed, fold and pack away clothes in clean, tightly-sealed plastic bags so they don’t get dusty and donate items once it’s safe to do so. 

8.  Refresh your home with paint

If you’re looking for an easy DIY project with a big impact, think about painting a room, touching up the trim or adding a pop of colour by painting a door. Contact your local hardware or building store for information about curbside pickup for painting supplies, or try online paint shop Digby to get supplies delivered to your door. To help you pick the perfect colour, check out our favourite paint colours for spring or this guide to choosing a colour to increase productivity, promote calm or boost creativity levels. 

Whether you spend a few hours or a few days working on projects around the house, you’re sure to enjoy your next Netflix binge even more knowing that you’ve crossed a few items off your to-do list.

Source:  Realtor.ca/blog

https://www.realtor.ca/blog/postpage/13426/1363/8-around-the-house-projects-to-tackle

With summer officially approaching, now’s the time to start creating a blueprint for the backyard reboot of your winter-weary dreams. Make the most out of your outdoor space this summer by bringing your kitchen outdoors and growing your own cocktail ingredients.

Whether you gather around a custom-built fire pit with s’mores or sweat it out in a barrel sauna, a little work now will mean a lot of relaxation in the not distant future. 

Grow your own cocktail ingredients

Hopping on the farm-to-table bandwagon, garden-to-glass cocktails will elevate your reputation and mixology abilities. When it’s safe to host again, you’ll be well-practiced and confident in your bar menu. Whether you choose to get deeply botanical with infusions and “shrubs” or keep it simple with ready-to-pluck mint and Thai basil, cocktail gardens can be as minimal or extensive as your liquor cabinet. 

Take-out pizza: the real deal

If you want to engage in a labour of love that will return the favour, upgrade your outdoor kitchen from a generic barbecue to a showstopper pizza oven. There are several online tutorials that will satisfy all skill levels, budgets and design tastes from rustic to elaborate. For a quick and portable fix, you can order an Ooni Koda. Fueled by propane, the Koda oven reaches 500°C in minutes, and you’ll have a piping pizza pie at the ready in 60 seconds. 

S’mores headquarters

Before you create your vision board, make sure to check with your municipality’s fire regulations and permit requirements. If you live in a wooded area, be mindful fires can burn deep below the surface and ignite tree roots. A 5-inch base layer of crushed gravel is advised. Like pizza ovens, fire pits can be built using natural stone, fire pit blocks or metal fire rings. Hard rocks like granite or lava rock won’t crack under extreme heat. Building centres carry complete kits with palletized stone (pre-sorted stone of uniform size) and DIY divas can learn how to lay capstone and build custom Muskoka chairs for the entire family.

Gas and propane-fuelled fire pit tables are popular for their mess-free instant gratification (no wood! No ash! No smoky clothes to launder!) while freestanding copper fire bowls create a natural and artistic focal point. 

Need help choosing the right fire pit or location for your outdoor space? Check out Your Guide to Outdoor Fireplaces. 

Let off some steam

Outdoor saunas can be a timeless addition to a backyard space. They can be used year-round and the health benefits make them a sound wellness investment. Lady Gaga and much of Finland swear by them. The design options jump from traditional to panoramic to white cedar barrel saunas with miniature porches. However, with a little sweat equity, friends will be eager to join you once it’s safe to do so. And, even more so when your backyard reboot is complete!

Open air shower or cowboy bath?

If you don’t have a lake in your backyard to jump into after cutting the grass, how about building an outdoor shower? It can be enclosed or open-air, making the set-up even simpler. All you need is an accessible water source, weatherproof wood and sufficient drainage away from your house.

Prefer a soak? “Cowboy tubs” are traditionally galvanized livestock water troughs or stock tanks and they are a fun off-grid amenity gaining popularity on Airbnb listings. Copper tubing makes the magic happen and with a little fire-tending patience, you’ll have a one-of-a-kind hot tub to soak in. With a garden-to-glass cocktail in hand, of course!

Backyard reboots can be achieved with any budget and a little ingenuity. Remember, you’re investing in relaxation and serenity, which is priceless!Looking for more ideas on how to transform your backyard into the ultimate retreat? Check out these suggestions for me-time she sheds, and big impact upgrades for your patio, porch and balcony too.

Source: Realtor.ca/blog

 https://www.realtor.ca/blog/postpage/13310/1367/creating-a-backyard-space-that-you-won%E2%80%99t-want-to-leave