6 Things You Need To Know About The Modular Solution For Custom Wardrobe System

It can be quite challenging to find a wardrobe that is suited to your taste and needs. Freestanding wardrobes do not typically offer you the choice of easy customization, and it can be difficult to match them to your personal décor and general aesthetic, as well as coordinate with your existing interior. A modular wardrobe system offers you this and so much more. Keep reading for more information about modular wardrobes and find out why this system is the perfect option.

1 - Customise It As You Wish

One of the most obvious things you need to know is that it can be customized however you wish. This is something that makes it stand out from wardrobe systems. Being able to design your own closet with the assistance of a designer can be an extremely satisfying task. You are able to get sleek and perfectly crafted racks and shelves to enhance the elegance of any room’s interior. You can add as many shelves, racks, doors, drawers – you name it – as you like.

2 - Easily Changed When Styles Become Out-Dated

Wardrobes can be quite an eyesore if they don’t suit your aesthetic. When building a modular system, you have the option to create them in a way where they are visible or invisible, depending on the construction. Wardrobes in the past have been bulky, practical pieces, shoved into the corner of a room in an attempt to hide them. In recent years there has been a shift from this, transforming them into stylish, trendy, enticing pieces. Modular wardrobes mean that no one has to confine themselves to a certain idea. They are easy to change and adapt to is popular at the time. Trends are constantly updating, and this makes following trends just that little bit easier. Right now, doorless cupboards are quite fashionable, but this could quickly change.

3 - Add Your Choice Of Lighting

It isn’t always that easy to see the corner of your free-standing wardrobe shelves. You can fit your modular wardrobe with any sort of lighting; make use of LED lights or even a task light to light up the interior of the wardrobe. This makes your cupboard look extremely stylish and is incredibly functional.

4 - Easy To Clean And Maintain

Something that most either do not do or avoid doing so on a regular basis is the cleaning and tidying of their wardrobe. It can be a painstaking task. Modular wardrobes make this a much easier task as they have more discrete racks and clothes hangers.

5 - Easy Storage Option In A Variety Of Materials

As we have mentioned before, modular systems make for easy-fit storage solutions. It is up to you to decide whether you want functionality or is it about a specific look. Will the storage currently available to you be perfect for the next few years, or are you going to install something that will grow and change with you as your needs change?

Modular systems are easy to make and can be dismantled with ease, too. They can sit flush against the wall and can be made in a variety of materials with a variety of finishes. Any color combination is possible, as well as glass, chrome, and metal options, in styles that go from parallel lines to L-shaped designs.

6 - Smart Use Of space

Free-standing wardrobes often don’t fit well into your room space. Modular wardrobes save your space by fitting into them perfectly. They are designed based on the size of your room and where you want it to go in your room. Some of these contemporary modular wardrobes even come with additional functionality, such as folding beds and tables for space-saving optionality.

Concluding Thoughts - Why You Should Go The Modular Route

Choosing to go for a modular wardrobe is the best way to get a bespoke design without paying the exorbitant prices usually associated with an individual design concept. You can customize how much hanging space you have, how many drawers, the shelves, as well as the size of wardrobe you need. They are also a lifesaver in oddly shaped spaces. They can be fitted into space in such a way that you don’t have to compromise on your furniture and other design preferences too much. Coming to you in a range of styles, materials, colors, and other finishes, you can turn your favorite Pinterest board dreams into a reality. And if you don’t like the color options available from the designer you employ, you can always paint it at home. The possibilities are endless and incredibly exciting.  

UK vs. US: First-Time Buyer Incentives to Get on the Property Ladder

Buying your first property is a big step and an even bigger investment. Thankfully, the UK and the US have incentive programs that can make this first step a lot easier, but how do they compare?

When you’re looking to buy a house for the first time, there’s more to it than you might think. Of course, you have to apply for a mortgage and instruct a conveyancing lawyer to help you with the paperwork. These are perhaps some steps that you hadn’t even considered, let alone what government incentives there are to help you out!

The truth is that, before you get on the property ladder, you’re going to need a down payment on the mortgage which is easier for some to find than others. In this post, we’re going to share the first-time buyer incentives that help people in both the UK and the US afford that payment.

What Are the UK’s First-Time Buyer Incentives?

The UK government has put a lot of time and effort into trying to get people on the property ladder. Most of this effort has resulted in government backed first-time buyer incentive schemes that give more people a chance to own their own home. 

If you’re living in the UK and you’re looking to get on the property ladder yourself, here are some of the schemes that can help you do it.

First Homes scheme

Launched on 4th June 2021, the First Homes scheme is the UK government’s most recent plan to help first-time buyers get on the property ladder. Under this scheme, first-time buyers can save up to 30 percent when buying a new-build home.

Once the 30 percent discount has been factored in, the maximum price homes can be sold for will be capped at £250,000 or £420,000 in London. The only requirements to get on this scheme are that you’re buying your first home and have household earnings under £80,000.

Any first-time buyers looking to get on this scheme need to take out a mortgage of at least 50 percent of the value of the property. Thankfully, many major banks and building societies have committed to offering high loan-to-value mortgages on homes sold under this scheme.

Help to Buy Scheme

The Help to Buy scheme is quite similar to the First Homes scheme, but it’s only available in England and Wales, not Scotland or Northern Ireland.

As with the First Homes scheme, Help to Buy is available to first-time buyers looking to buy a new build house. You need a deposit of at least five percent of the purchase price, and you can borrow up to 20 percent of the purchase price as an interest-free equity loan.

However, this loan is only interest-free for the first five years, after which you have to start paying the interest on the amount you borrowed. 

Lifetime Individual Savings Account (LISA)

LISAs are another great way to get on the property ladder as a first-time buyer. These savings accounts allow you to put in up to £4,000 a year until you’re 50, and the government adds a 25 percent bonus to your savings.

If there are two of you buying a house together, and you both have a LISA, you can use your LISAs in conjunction with each other. The only issue with them is that the money has to be used to buy a house, so any money you save in there is locked down for that purpose.

Either way, you can’t grumble at turning £4,000 into £5,000 once a year if you’re trying to save up for your first home.

95% Mortgage Guarantee Scheme 

The last first-time buyer incentive we’re going to cover before we move onto the US is the mortgage guarantee scheme.

Announced in the 2021 budget, this mortgage guarantee scheme allows lenders to purchase a guarantee on mortgages where borrowers only have a deposit of 5 percent. If a house sold under these scheme gets repossessed, the mortgage lender can receive compensation for losses suffered.

These guarantees cover 95 percent of the losses suffered, leaving five percent at the door of the lender so they retain some risk in every loan they arrange. These mortgage guarantees really help people with small deposits buy their first home. 

What Are the US’s First-Time Buyer Incentives?

Now that we have an idea of the first-time buyer incentives available to people in the UK, it’s time to turn our attention to the United States. 

A first-time buyer in the US has access to state programs, tax breaks, and federally backed loans if they don’t have the usual minimum down payment (usually 20 percent) of the purchase price for a conventional loan. Here are the main incentives available to them:

First-Time Home Buyer Grant

Grants and forgivable loans – loans that typically don’t require repayment – are available to low and moderate-income borrowers through state first-time home buyer programs. These programs vary from state to state but usually include household income and home sale price caps. 

Down Payment Assistance

As with the first-time home buyer grants, down payment assistance is offered by local and state housing authorities, which means the schemes vary from location to location. 

This assistance can come in the form of grants, zero-interest loans, and low-interest loans that help first-time buyers afford the initial down payment for a house. Down payment assistance also have income and home sale price caps which, again, vary from state to state.

First-Time Buyer Loans

There a whole host of first-time buyer loans offered by mortgage companies across the US. So, to make this a little easier, we’re going to list the most common ones and their requirements:

• FHA loan: a home loan insured by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) that requires a decent credit score, two years of continuous employment, and a reasonable debt-to-income ratio

• VA loan: a loan insured by the US Department of Veterans Affairs that doesn’t require any down payment at all. You have to be a member of the armed forces, a veteran or a qualified spouse. These tend to have a pretty low interest rate.

• USDA loan: a loan aimed at low-income borrowers, primarily in rural areas, with no down payment required and a minimum credit score set by the individual lender.

• Conventional loan: a loan that isn’t insured by federal agencies but has low deposit schemes and no income restrictions.

Which Country Has the Best First-Time Buyer Incentives?

In this post, we’ve discussed the main first-time buyer incentives to get people in the UK and the US on the property ladder.

With the UK being a smaller country, it’s much easier to have a few first-time buyer incentives that are applied countrywide. This makes them easier to get your head around to get a sense of where you stand.

However, the US offers much more variety in first-time buyer incentives, meaning you have a better chance of finding a deal that suits you. 

Simple Ways To Add Luxury to Your Home

As kids, we all dreamed of living in a Disney-themed castle, where we could live happily ever after. As we grow older, however, reality sets in and we don’t always get the homes we fantasized about. Luckily, there are ways you can get a more luxurious home without breaking a sweat (or the bank!) 

Luxury doesn’t always have to mean expensive. Sometimes creating a sense of elegance with a thoughtful feature or a splash of paint can make all the difference. Here are some simple ways to add the “wow” factor to your home to give it a luxurious look. 

1. Mix Your Textiles

If your couch, throw pillows, and curtains are all in the same textile and texture, your space will not have any depth or style. Change out your soft throw pillows for a different group of colors and textures to quickly add interest and a touch of glamour. Even if you don’t like bright colors, you can include a few different tones from the neutrals you have lined up in your space. Or, go for a more muted color such as light canary or lavender if you don’t want to choose a vibrant pigment. 

2. Freshen Up With Flowers

Sometimes just a simple touch will add some luxury to your home. A small bunch of flowers from the supermarket can be all it takes to add some glam. It’s all about how you set your flowers up and the vase you put them in. Choosing the best vase for your flowers and separate your flowers into groups and place them around your home in interesting vases. This may cost a few dollars each week, but the effect on your home and your mood is worth the investment.  

3. Add Mirrors

Mirrors have long been used by real estate agents as a staging technique to give homes a more luxurious feel – and for good reason. Mirrors make rooms appear larger than they actually are, create a mood, serve as an artwork, and reflect nice views. The good thing is that you can add mirrors to many rooms in your home, from your living room to your bedroom and even a hallway. 

4. Upgrade Your Hardware

It can be surprising how much simply swapping out standard hardware for a more stylish or contemporary set can change the look of your space. Try some new drawer pulls or cupboard handles in the kitchen, or a sleek towel holder in the bathroom to give your home a bold new look. 

While you’re at it, consider upgrading the hidden components of your home as well to ensure everything runs smoothly for years to come. The experts at Morris Jenkins suggest having your plumbing, heating and cooling systems serviced and updated regularly to prevent costly problems from developing.  

5. Declutter

Clutter and mess can create a shabby environment, and decluttering is an excellent way to give your home a new look. Not only does clutter look messy, it can also impact your mental health. Take time to arrange your belongings and accessories for a more refined and intricate look. Consider modern storage solutions that add style to your space as well as keep all your belongings tucked away. Set goals for yourself and start organizing with just one drawer or cupboard. Check out some of the many online resources for inspiration and ideas on how to declutter. 

6. Grab a Roller and Paint Your Walls

Nothing will refresh a space more than freshly painted walls. Luckily, this is a job that you can handle yourself with the right tools and some hard work. Although painting a room is a relatively simple task, it can have a significant effect on your home. Choose colors that complement your furniture and overall style in the room. For example, If you own a gray or brown couch, you can pair them up with colors like mustard yellow, blush pink, coral, or gold.

There’s always something you can do to make your home look better. Start small and work your way up to more considerable upgrades and you will love your luxurious home for years to come. 

20 Ideas for DIY Furniture Projects

When it comes to showing dedication and skills while saving money, DIY projects are the way to go. A successful DIY project can keep the professionals away and develop confidence in the craftsman for the long run.

Purchasing a piece of furniture from a marketplace nowadays is an exceedingly expensive affair, depending on the type and quality of the product. However, attempting to produce a similar piece of furniture DIY might drastically bring the costs down. In the case where the required materials are already available to the maker, costs can potentially be brought down to zero.

Professionals like Tom Bradly possess the necessary skills to complete real-life projects that can act as a reference for the DIY projects you might be willing to attempt afterward. Read this article for a comprehensive list of DIY furniture project ideas that you can attempt at home.

1 - House for Pets

Small, elegant houses can be made for your beloved pets with some plywood and soft linen. Attach pieces of the thin wood planks with nails to form a shape that can accommodate the future inhabitant of the house. Attach the linen within the interior to ensure a comfortable experience for your pet.

2 - Wooden Bookshelf

Plywood, nails and a little effort is all that is needed for you to construct a brand new bookcase for your living room. Construct the outer framework with large planks of plywood. Afterward, attach the shelves to the framework with nails, depending on the spacing that you need in-between.

3 - Wall Shelving

These beautiful fittings may serve several purposes based on the needs of the owner. Creating them is not difficult, either. Attach plywood with nails according to the design requirements, and secure the finished product on your desired wall space with thicker nails. Heavier wood can be used if needed.

4 - Coat Rack

All you need is any decent, solid, material like wood or plastic, and you can make yourself a cute coat rack. Cut the chosen material into long, thin pieces before attaching them. Keep some extensions protruding out for the cloth to be hung on.

5 - Wastebasket

Perhaps the easiest of them all, trash baskets can be made from wood, plastic, sheet metal, or anything sturdy. Cut a rectangular piece and a couple of circular sheets of the chosen material. Wrap the rectangle around the edges of the circles, and after attaching them, you have a wastebasket at your disposal.

6 - Junk Drawer Compartments

Separate the contents in a junk drawer by installing small, wooden planks inside of it. This divides the drawer into miniature compartments to establish a system when storing “junk.”

7 - Indoor Swing

Swing sets are a great source of entertainment for children, if not for adults as well! Take a rigid piece of fabric and a piece of wood or metal. Stitch the fabric to craft a seat, attach it to the selected material, and the indoor swing is ready. Make sure the connection is strong to avoid any accidents.

If you're looking to enhance your swing set experience, you can shop for disk swings to add more variety and fun to your outdoor play area. Disk swings provide a unique swinging experience that kids love, making your swing set even more exciting for your little ones.
after this sentence: Swing sets are a great source of entertainment for children, if not for adults as well! Take a rigid piece of fabric and a piece of wood or metal. Stitch the fabric to craft a seat, attach it to the selected material, and the indoor swing is ready. Make sure the connection is strong to avoid any accidents.

8 - Lower Bed Frame

Most people find the sight of a box spring bed very unpleasant. Take 4 large pieces of whitewood or pine boards and secure them all around the bed from beneath the mattress. This hides the hollow bottom of the bed from our eyesight and gives it a classy outlook.

9 - Fabric Stools

Not many families can claim they do not have at least one stool in their entire house. These pieces of furniture are widely used and do not have any specific designing needs. Simply attach four planks of wood with nails to form a hollow rectangular structure, and cover the top with fabric for the seat.

10 - Washroom Shelf

This is easier than crafting a bookcase but is very similar in the procedure. Cut out a solid piece of plywood and nail it behind your toilet seat for easy access to anything you wish to keep there. Make sure the plank of wood is fastened well, as any detachment might result in accidents.

11 - Shoe Rack

Instead of spending a hefty amount on an expensive shoe rack, go for a DIY solution. Make necessary cabinets with relatively thick wooden planks attached with nails, similar to the shelf-making instructions mentioned above. An extended metal framework can be crafted and connected to the top to act as a coat hanger.

12 - Side Table

Be it beside a bed or a sofa, side tables are very fashionable and useful. A single block of wood can be crafted into a beautiful side table with the necessary equipment. Make sure the edges are blunted to avoid injuries upon mistakenly bumping into them.

13 - Art Table

Artists love a specialized workstation for their creative projects. Take a large panel of plywood and attach wooden legs underneath. A small shelf can be joined on top for the user to store their art supplies.

14 - Plant Bucket

Any regular bucket can be customized to grow plants in. This can be colored to match the surroundings, or it can be covered with plywood sheets for a sophisticated look. Make sure to use waterproof material in the interior as most plants need routine watering.

15 - Storage Rack

This is a basic rack to store large equipment like baskets, plant buckets, appliances, etc. Unlike a shoe rack, the compartments need to be large, and the crafting material must be strong enough to withstand the weight of heavy objects.

16 - Wooden Ladder

Making a DIY ladder can be an exciting experience. Place 2 long planks of oak, or any other rigid material, side by side and install the rungs in between by drilling nails into them. Make sure the attachments are strong, as they need to support the entire weight of a person when used.

17 - Wooden Chair

Although it is difficult to plan this project, wooden chairs are a welcome addition to any home if crafted correctly. Thin, wooden planks carved out to act as handles, stands, a backrest, and a seat can be connected with nails and a hammer to form a lovely chair your neighbor would be in awe of.

18 - Outdoor Table

This is a larger version of the art table, without the utility framework on top. A footrest can be attached at the bottom for convenience.

19 - Tire Ottoman

Attach a thin plank of plywood to cover one side of a hollow tire, and line the rubber with ropes. This gives the newly crafted DIY ottoman a classy look and can be used anywhere inside or outside the house.

20 - Crib for Children

Similar to building a ladder, a wooden crib requires 5 small “ladders” built into a box with the top open. This ensures that the baby can be observed through the rungs and can be moved from above.

Wrapping Up

While ideas are tougher to implement than simply planning for them, the aforementioned DIY projects are great ways to step into this wonderful world of creativity. Improve your house value, save your money, and start being the go-to person at your house whenever you are in need of something new.

How to Make Your New York Apartment Feel More Spacious

The first time you moved into your apartment, it wasn’t as small as you see it now. With time, we tend to outgrow the available space. However, New York’s case is a little bit different. Almost all of its apartments are so small that it’s already crowded the moment you move in.

It’s now your duty as a New Yorker to learn how to make your living space look more spacious. Below are some proven ways you can borrow to make your already crowded apartment look a bit spacious.

1. Have it Simple – The Minimalist Style 

An easy way to make smaller spaces look spacious is to keep everything – from decors to furniture, as simple as possible. Having lots of patterns, colors, pieces of art, and furniture makes the room appear cluttered. A rule of thumb is to declutter your apartment to give that spacious effect.

If you are an art lover, try to keep art decors to the minimum. For instance, you can have your framed pictures on one or two walls. Keep your wall colors to at least one or two and have them bright, so you don’t have to add other decors or lighting. For your furniture, keep the minimum possible so you can create an exposed feel to your eyes.

2. Maximize Natural Lighting 

Pushing your curtains to the furthest side of the frame not only allows maximum light into the room but also means you have a more expansive view of the outside environment. Enough lighting makes your room a lot more spacious, and the goal is to have your windows draw in as much light as possible. 

Similarly, incorporating the surrounding environment into your living space by having a view of the outdoors makes your room more open. If the curtain is causing unnecessary obstructions, you can opt to remove the curtains and drapes. This will reduce the things hanging on the wall and ensures a clear view of the surroundings. Another hack is to consider using curtains of the same color as that of your wall.  

3. Use Mirrors

Again, this trick creates that spacious feeling, provided you have positioned them in the right place. Mirrors not only reflect light across the room, but they can also bring outdoor views, which is a great way to trick the eye into seeing more space. However, this will only work if there’s a great view outside and you have windows wide enough to let in those views.  

Another way to use mirrors to create that spacious effect is by hanging a long narrow mirror on some wall sections. This will give an illusion of a higher roof. You can also place a mirror behind a source of light to help brighten your indoor space.

4. Opt for a Bed with Drawers

When living in a tiny apartment, there is one thing you cannot afford to misuse, any usable space. Under the bed is one of the spaces not used to its maximum potential. To maximize the little space in your bedroom, consider using a space-saving bed. A bed with a drawer can act as your closet, a shoe rack, or even your mini-library. Depending on the design, you can use the drawer space for storing anything that fits into space. 

Besides saving your space, a bed with storage can be a timeless design that boosts the ambiance of your house. You may only have a challenge moving the bed around, especially when cleaning the room and even the bed itself. Even then, it’s a worthwhile investment. 

5. Donate or Sell Other Things

More often than not, you’ll realize that many things cluttering your home are old clothes and shoes you have outgrown. Before stressing about the tiny space, check out for things that you haven’t worn or used in the past year, then sell them or even donate to charity. 

After selling or donating these clothes, you’ll be surprised to find out that a lot of things filling up your space are the ones you no longer need. Similarly, donate old toys and books that your children have outgrown. If you want to make some extra money out of these items, there are some second-hand and consignment marketplaces you can choose. 

Final Takeaways 

Living in New York and its suburbs means that you’ll have to deal with space challenges in most apartments. If you still struggle with constrained space even after trying all the above hacks, chances are, you need to move out to a more spacious apartment. That is often the case if you are living in a rented apartment. 

However, if you own a home, you may want to consider full-service reconstruction services from a reputed company. Here, the company will help you design a renovation plan, allowing you to extend a portion of your home to create more space.   

The Bitter Truth: 4 Facts About Homeownership You Don't Know

What are the benefits of homeownership? What are the drawbacks? The answer is not so simple. While it has many perks, homeownership also comes with some downsides that can be difficult to see at first glance. 

Sure, it's cheaper than renting, but that doesn't mean it will be affordable in the long run. Even so, buying a home has significant advantages you should not miss. So, if you are in the quest to buy a home, be sure to check out Kelly Johnson Real Estate for services that will meet your needs. 

With that said, in this blog post, you will discover four facts about homeownership you might not know about—and what they mean for your future!

Your Monthly Payments Exceed Your Mortgage 

If you are a first-time homebuyer, the cost of buying your place can look prohibitive. One thing that might make it more affordable is if your monthly payments never exceed the amount of mortgage you owe. 

However, suppose they do (which is likely). In that case, there's not much point in making those high monthly payments because most of them will go towards interest on what you still owe and won't pay down anything on your actual loan balance or principal; you'll end up paying more and taking longer to pay off your loan.

The highest number of months that payment exceeds the mortgage balance is 12 out of 24 or 50% of months! That means that if you're not careful with making those monthly payments, you might be throwing away money month after month without any progress on actually paying down your principal (or what you owe).

You Are Your Landlord

Homeownership is a privilege, not a right. It comes with both privileges and responsibilities. So, when you own your home, it's up to you to maintain the property so that you can reap its benefits for years to come. 

It also means being responsible for all things related to owning and living in your space. There are repairs and maintenance costs, utility bills, insurance coverage, lawn care services or landscapers if needed, snow removal during winter months, trash disposal fees from pick-up schedules, and the list goes on!

Owning a home is not just about buying a place to live; it's about committing to investing in that property and taking on all responsibilities for its upkeep—to make it your own! 

Furniture Costs Might Exceed Expectations

Furniture costs to furnish your new home can easily exceed the budget allocated for them, so it's worth spending time estimating how much you need before picking out furniture and making purchases. 

These prices may not be known upfront for example, the cost of installing flooring. Ultimately, if do-it-yourself projects are in store for some aspects of furnishing your home, you will also have to factor these expenses into household budgets.

Know the Property Value and Development Plans of the Area

If you want to live in an area with high property values, it may mean that the neighborhood is coming up, and more development will be happening soon. If your goal is stability, then this might not be what you are looking for. 

You should also know how much the average person spends on their mortgages every month so that you can plan accordingly. This information can help ease some of the sticker shocks when taking out loans or signing contracts because now they have a better understanding of what they need to pay each month.

The bottom line is that homeownership has both benefits and drawbacks. It's up to you to decide what works best for your financial situation.