Summer renovations to increase your home's value!
Want to turn your home into a high-value property? Get professional advice from our free eBook: The three elements of a low maintenance, high-profit property. Here are some simple, easy and quick ways to renovate your home this summer.
1. Wall colours matter
Avoid painting your walls white or black—one will show the dirt and the other any imperfections in your wall or ceiling. Instead, consider using patterned walls.
Wallpaper is becoming fashionable again and can really help your home look fresh.
2. Make the cleaning easier
Does anyone really enjoy vacuuming or cleaning in low, hard to reach places? Why not consider switching out your bathroom essentials for wall-mounted alternatives.
A wall-hung toilet and elevated sink will not only make cleaning easier but can create space and give the bathroom an entirely different context. For the ultimate easy-clean, install a drain in your bathroom floor so you can hose the floor down.
3. Consider changing surface tops
Changing both kitchen and bathroom surface tops are easy ways of giving your house a different feel. However, keep in mind that choosing a single colour will highlight imperfections, dirt and dust. Patterned surfaces are a great way of avoiding this. Natural stone countertops such as granite or quartz are good for this, but these are very heavy materials, so make sure your cabinetry can support the weight!
If you’re after an industrial look, consider stainless steel—it’s practically indestructible. The only downsides are that some chemicals can stain it, and it can dent if something heavy is dropped on it.
Plastic laminate is another long-lasting homeowner favourite, especially for those on a budget. It’s lightweight too so it doesn’t need sturdy support under it like granite or quartz do. However, it can be scratched and sometimes burned if you’re not careful.
4. Change the flooring
If your current floor is covered in furniture scuff marks, stains and claw indents from the family pet, it could be time to consider a more durable option. This could range from bamboo to natural stone or laminate, or vinyl, and while each has their benefits they also have their limitations.
Stone may be a great addition to your kitchen and bathrooms, but be aware that some types of stone, such as marble, will wear quicker than you might expect. Likewise, porcelain and ceramic tiles are a bathroom and kitchen favourite. While they’re not as tough as natural stone, they’re less porous, which makes them quick and easy to clean.
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we are having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.3% Yes
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15.1% No
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2.6% Other - I'll share below
Test Your Wits! Today's Riddle Will Keep You Guessing!
Only one colour, but not one size,
Stuck at the bottom, yet easily flies.
Present in the sun, but not in rain,
Doing no harm, and feeling no pain.
What is it?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
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