Category: Upgrading

Appeal · Design · Upgrading

Does Your Apartment Need an Electric Fireplace?

Posted on by Mervin McGrafan

Just when you think you got everything you need in your apartment, you are going to lack some things. An electric fireplace is one of them and it even comes in many designs. In fact, you will definitely come across a design that would suit your apartment the most. Here are a few reasons why you would need an electric fireplace for your apartment:

Slowly Brings Heat

When you feel that it is cold outside, there is no need to hurry to bring heat inside your home. An electric fireplace will bring the heat to the interiors of your apartment slowly but surely. It will only be a matter of time before you don’t feel cold anymore. You know you would want to embrace your loved ones in front of the fireplace when it is cold.

Cost-Effective

It is pretty cheap compared to gas and wood fireplace. In addition, it won’t cost much to maintain it. In fact, it does not burn gas so you just need to clean every now and then. The other types of fireplaces will need you to spend money almost every month to maintain it. That is not the case with an electric fireplace as the only time you will need to spend money is when you buy it. In fact, the cheapest one is only $700 and the most expensive one is $2250. That is pretty cheap compared to other types of fireplaces and it usually already includes the installation.

Improve Appearance

There is no doubt you are going to make your interiors a lot better no matter what the design of the electric fireplace is. In fact, some visitors can just come in and check it out. It would be a different feeling when you are pretty proud of your apartment. You would not mind inviting people over for some gatherings like birthdays or other occasions. The other people living in your apartment would also feel great about the improved look.

Little Safety Risk

The first thing that would always come to mind when you buy an electric fireplace is the safety of everyone involved. There is no doubt you would not be concerned about safety since it is not real fire anyway. At first, that would take the thrill off having a real fireplace. After a few weeks, you will realize you made a great call since you won’t have to worry about the place catching on fire because there is no chance that will happen. Therefore, safety would be the last thing on your mind.

Now that you know why you would need an electric fireplace in your apartment, you should get one immediately (You can look at reviews and recommendations which This Electric Home provides). You can look forward to your bonding moments with your friends and loved ones in front of the electric fireplace. It will make for some incredible and relaxing memories. There is no doubt doing that would lessen the amount of stress you are feeling. In fact, you will immediately feel excited about doing it again in the future.

Upgrading

How To Cool An Apartment Without Air Conditioning

Posted on by Mervin McGrafan

As the warm air comes, it is time for you to plan what kind of activities you can do. But it is not the only thing you should think about. When you stay at your apartment, it will surely be hot and mostly uncomfortable. The first thing that comes to mind is turning on the air conditioning. The problem would be with the electric bills, and you want to save as much electricity as possible.

Good thing there are a lot of alternatives for that. They might not cool as fast as air conditioning, but they still can be done and make it work.

  1. Fans

Aside from air conditioning, an electric fan is an easy way to gain cool air. To make it cooler, place a block of ice in front of it, and it will be like having air conditioning. Another great tip is instead of having it steady in one direction, you can have it rotate so that the air will circulate in the room.

Another kind of fan is the ceiling fan, and it is also good for air circulation. The problem would be is that not all apartment renters are allowed to install one. If your apartment is though, grab that opportunity for it is a great addition and alternative of cooling.

Exhaust fans are usually placed in kitchens and bathrooms to get rid of the smell. It can also be used for other purposes. It does not give cool air, but it does get rid of the air that is heating your apartment.

2. Curtains and Blinds

The heat from the sun is what makes the temperature in your apartment increase. Because of that, you will need to block it from entering. Have your curtains and blinds closed. This is especially needed when you leave most of the day or during midday when the heat is most apparent. If you have the capacity, you should consider investing for blackout curtains. It is great protection for your apartment. It will not only help for blocking out the heat, but it will also prevent the harmful UV rays from entering. 

3. Night Air

The heat during summer does not really last all day, and there may be some cool air at night time. This will be the time you open your windows and let the cool air in. To make it more effective, you can have a fan directly with the window to help with the circulation. 

Other Tips

It is not just about cooling your apartment but also helping yourself. The best way for you to fight off the heat is by taking care of yourself.

  1. This is the best time for you to indulge and treat yourself. You can go out and buy some ice cream or other frozen treats. You can also make some of your own milkshakes and refreshing juice. Make sure to stay hydrated in times like this and drink lots of water.
  2. At this time, avoid wearing clothes that easily absorbs heat. Instead, wear some clothing that is light in color and weight.
  3. You might not always have the time to dip in a pool, but you can have a shower or bath to cool yourself up. It is said that adding some peppermint will also help.
Upgrading

How To Furnish An Apartment Cheaply

Posted on by Mervin McGrafan

Once you have your own apartment, you will surely have responsibilities. Especially if you are renting one, you will need to pay for it monthly. Add to that, you will need to think about bills that are on due and also other necessities.

Because of that, you will have to keep in mind your priorities. Furnishing your apartment might be not on the top, but it is a must. You will live on it, so there are things that you will need to have.

The good news is that you will not need to spend too much on it. There are cheap ways for you to have your apartment looks like it is yours and to also look good.

1. Look for Sales

Instead of looking for the fresh and brand new arrivals among the shops, look for those that are out of season. These sales often come out of the arrival of the new season. So if you happen to have time to shop during these times, grab the opportunity. Another time is during the holidays though you would need to have the patience of shopping with others. You could also look out for clearance sales because you will never know that there might be something in your style and interest.

2. Thrift Shops and Yard Sales

Other ones you can watch are thrift shops and yard sales. You can go online and search for something near you. You can surely find a number of thrift shops in the city if you look around. As for yard sales, if you know someone moving then there is a possibility they will be selling some furnishings they do not need or too bulky to move around. It does not even matter if someone is moving or not, because people would have something that they just want to get rid of, and also lookout for those.

3. Use It Again

If you have old furniture that still can be used, have it around. You do not need to have something new always. Another is hand-me-downs from friends or family. You can also lookup online. There are sites that offer pre-loved or used furniture for free. You can look at something within your area and have a look for yourself.  

4. Do Some DIY

One of the similarities you would have from the things mentioned above is that you might like the style too much. Some even that are used are not of the great condition because it might have some stains or damages. If you are creative and love doing DIY, do not fret about that. You can fix some of the damages or change it up by painting or exchange the clothing of seats. You can even reuse them in an entirely different way like shelves for a shoe rack.

5. Dual-Purpose Items

There are a lot of furnishings nowadays that are of dual-use. Because of that, you will not need to buy two items at once. One example of this is seats that can also be a sleeping space such as daybeds or futons. Then there are are also ottomans that can be doubled as storage. This is especially good if you have a small space or have visitors often.

Upgrading

What Upgrades Add Value To A House

Posted on by Mervin McGrafan

One of the things that you own that will be a great asset is a home. It is a great thing to have but what is greater is that once you decided to sell it for some reason, you will surely get something back. But do not have your hopes for it to be high because it will need a lot of work for that to be gained.

Some of those work will require a bit more expensive, but it will also be beneficial for you. You will be able to enjoy it too while you still have it. Having added value is just a plus.

You can just upgrade just about anything, but the following will be the greatest factors to increase your asset:

1. Kitchen

One of the best rooms to remodel in your home is the kitchen. The reason for this is it is what pulls buyers. It is also said it is what gives you the biggest return. The reason for this is because of the upgrade of materials that are used in the kitchen such as cabinets and counters that may be from wood to marbles. Also, there are other utilities such as the sink. Then add to that the gadgets and appliances that will be upgraded. You do not have to go over the top, just make sure that the kitchen is nice and cozy.

2. Bathroom

Another room that will give you a big return is the bathroom. It is also one of the rooms that most buyers will ask about. But what is better is that it does not need too much or anything major. You will just need to upgrade your plumbing, vanity, and toilet. You might also modernize your faucet, shower, and sink. Another thing to consider for upgrade is making them more environment-friendly. Fixtures are also a must in upgrading. 

3. Curb

There are a lot of sayings about being love at first sight or judging the outside appearance. This is also true for a house. The first thing people notice is the exterior, and that is why it is important to make it look good and pleasing to the eye. Curb appeal is not just some term invented, it is actually needed especially if you are looking for potential buyers. Because of this, you will have to have it always clean so that it will always look great in appearance. You might also add something that is attractive such as a pathway.

4. Landscape

The yard is actually part of the curb appeal, and you will need to maintain it to remain its look. So, you will have to mow and weed it regularly. Landscaping is also a great way to add value. All you need to do is to choose the right plants and trees to be added. You could ask some help from landscapers, so you will have the idea then do the rest by yourself if it is one of your hobbies or would want less expense. 

Upgrading

How To Set Up Internet In An Apartment

Posted on by Mervin McGrafan

Nowadays, it seems like everyone has a gadget on hand. Whether it be a smartphone or a tablet, it is what keeps them entertained. All you need is an internet connection, and you can do anything with it. You can watch movies or listen to music or play games. You can even stream and download on the go. You can even shop with just your fingertips.

It seems to be having internet in your own home is a must-have. It might sound like it takes a lot to have but, it is not really. Especially if you are in a city, it is not that hard if you have the right equipment and materials to set up.

1. Buy a Router

In a city, the internet is usually not a problem. The plan is usually set up and all you need to do is to have something that will connect with it. Some would offer for rent, but it will be better to buy your own. Why? Because it is faster and more reliable. It will be more expensive, but if you are planning to have it for years, it will be worth it than paying for it monthly which will not be a problem if you will get your own.

2. Change Name

After connecting, there will surely be a default name and password that comes along with it. The first thing you will need to do is change the name. Why would that be important and needed? That is because having a default name will make it easier for others such as your neighbors to be able to connect to your internet. Because of that, it will be the cause of your internet being slower and also even make you pay more. It will also be a problem with your security because this will be easier for hackers to access.

3. Make a Creative Password

With the changed name, you will also need to change your password because having a default one will be a great risk for your security. It is easy to guess especially for those who are experts about it. Because of that, you will need to have a password that is difficult to guess. It is recommended for all to make a strong one which contains numbers, letters, and other characters and not something predictable such as birthdays. It might be hard to come up with one, but it will be worth it to your end. 

4. Know About the Security and Speed

Of course, if you want to have your internet to be really secured, you will have to know and set up protocols about it. You will have to upgrade your firmware, and this will be great for your security because it will be updated. If you are scratching your head because you have no idea how this will all work, you can always call a tech about this that will help you with setting up and will also teach about the needs. They will also help you how to speed up your internet, so you can enjoy it to the fullest.