How to Create a Wellness Space at Home

During these continued uncertain times, it’s critical to cultivate wellness in your home space. I’ve invited guest blogger, Sophia Young, to share her ideas on how to create a wellness space at home. Enjoy!

Living a healthy, happy life as much as we can is essential for our wellbeing. As children and teenagers, we spend half of each day in the classroom or at home with our families - so why not make this half of our day as healthy and fulfilling as possible? Here are some ideas on how to create a wellness space at home that will help foster healthier habits.

Set Clear Intentions

Intentions are a very important part of any project or activity, so it's always a good idea to have them in mind before you begin. Take some time to think about what exactly you want to achieve with your wellness space, and why this is important to you. You could have different intentions for different uses of the wellness space. Whether your intent is focused on creating a space that can accommodate your at-home workouts, another might be to give you enough space to really stretch out when you’re practicing yoga poses, or creating an area where you can enjoy organizing sports equipment, setting an intention is the first place to start.

Take a Look Around

Before you begin a project, take some time to look around your home. It can be a great way to get inspired by the layout of the room(s) and make sure that your wellness space will fit in well. Perhaps there's an unused corner of a room or empty wall that could be worked into your wellness space? You can make it work, so don't worry too much about this small detail.

Choose the Right Location

The location of your wellness space at home will affect how much you make use of it. Make sure that your wellness space is located somewhere that you can easily access every day - perhaps a corner of a room, right next to the door in one room, or in an empty room that's dedicated to this project. 

Also think about how many other activities are going on around the wellness space - if it's right in the middle of the living room, you might bump into other people and disrupt their activity too much. However, make sure that it's not so obscure that you will avoid using it. For example, if you place your wellness space in the basement - a weirdly dark and cold place - then you will probably hardly ever use it, and this defeats the entire point of making one!

Remove Any Distractions

A wellness space is about having a relaxing and pleasant time, so make sure that you don't distract yourself during your relaxation time. For example, if you have the TV on, you will be tempted to watch TV instead of following through with your intentions. This could be a problem with the TV being on, but it's also a problem if you suddenly realize that you have no idea what to do next. This is often why we turn on the TV or radio for background noise when designing a wellness space.

A good practice for removing distractions is to prepare everything needed for the activity before you start. This way, you will be able to focus fully on enjoying the wellness activity without any other things to distract you.

Craft an Inspiring Scene

The setting for your wellness space is very important for setting your intentions and creating a good vibe. Turn off the TV, drop any other distractions, and turn on some relaxing music. Make sure that your lighting is bright enough to see but dim enough to be comfortable - you don't want it so bright that it hurts your eyes or so dim that you can't read.

Place some inspiring pictures in the room (e.g. maybe of a place that has always fascinated you). Your room should have a relaxing atmosphere, but it shouldn't make you feel tired or bored.

Incorporate Natural Elements

The feeling of real wood can be really great for creating a wellness space, as it adds to the feeling of being at home. There are many types of wood that you can choose from - some are very natural and offer a good feeling, while others are more artificial and feel less authentic. The choice depends on what you're going for.

Be careful with any furniture that you buy, as some materials may contain toxic chemicals. This includes plastics, metals, and paints - and if they are not well-made or are old they could be emitting toxic fumes and gases that are dangerous to your health.

Wellness Starts at Home

Making your own wellness space can be a great way to help you to achieve a healthier lifestyle, and it can also make life more pleasant at home. The tips in this article will help you get started, but with a bit of thinking and consideration, you can come up with your very own ideas for how to create a new wellness space at home.

Let Your Space BLOOM offers hands-on organizing, move preparation, unpacking, downsizing, rightsizing and everything in between. For more information, contact Amy. A special thank you to Sophia Young for this informative guest blog post.

How to Find an Accessible Home When Looking for a New House

For most Americans, finding the ideal home is a very long and grueling process. There are numerous things to consider, from the location to the price to the amenities to the school district. And when you have an impairment, ensuring that the home is accessible is one of the imperative factors to account for when house hunting. So here are some tips from Let Your Space BLOOM to guide you on your way to the perfect home.

Finding an Accessible Home

If you've decided to relocate but you have no idea where to start to find an accessible home, you may feel a bit confused and lost. In case you're about to start house hunting, following these strategies will help you find, buy and modify — if needed — the right place for you.

List All Your Needs

When house hunting, you need to make a list of all your needs and wants so you know what to look for in a property and what might break the deal. People with mobility disabilities should look for a home with no steps and an open floor plan, as well as outside ramps if available. If you've found a place that might be ideal for you and you like it a lot, but something doesn't work in it, you can buy it and make a few modifications after completing the paperwork. Some remodeling options include accessible landscapes, ramps or lifts, durable flooring, and perhaps smart home technology to ease your days.

Again, it's not unusual for homes to require some modification, even with a thorough hunt. Bathrooms, for instance, often need to be upgraded. So if that’s the case, your best bet is to search Angi for “plumber near me” and browse their handy ratings and reviews to find a local professional to get the job done.

Set a Budget

Setting up a budget is a fantastic way to pin down the scope of choices. A budget will help you figure out the limit of how much you can afford and will also help you consider what you might need to spend for modification costs. You also have a number of different ways to fund your purchase, such as loans and grants. For example, you may wish to apply for FHA if you plan to make a down payment of less than 20%. An FHA loan is also ideal for buyers who don't meet the credit history requirements that come with a conventional loan.

Do the Necessary Research in Your Area

House hunting will require a lot of research on your part. Start by checking accessible homes in your area with the neighborhood that is most appealing to you first. If you have kids, consider the school districts as well and the proximity to hospitals and stores. 

By working with a realtor who has experience in helping other clients find accessible places, you can visit various properties to find the one that attracts you the most and fits your needs best. Don't forget to have your credit reports in a good state and apply for a mortgage or a special loan in time to ensure you get pre-approved by the time you want to buy.

Don't Forget the Value of the Location

As mentioned above, location is imperative because it helps decide your home's appreciation, value, and resale potential. Still, it's not just that — an accessible home is not just one that is accessible on the inside, but it also makes a variety of other things more available. The location can make or break the deal — it can make you comfortable or uneasy. You need to think about what you need to be close to, how your transportation method matches that, and then take all this into account when house hunting.

Knowing What to Do Eases the House Hunt

Finding a home to fit your needs will allow you to stay and feel safe and comfortable for many years, so you'll want to ensure that the house you'd like to buy has everything you need before purchasing it. If you need to modify it, look into local contractors and other help you need, including an architect or an interior designer. Having a good plan in place will help you find the right home for you and your needs.

Let Your Space BLOOM offers hands-on organizing, move preparation, unpacking, downsizing, rightsizing and everything in between. Call (443) 595-6704. A special thank you to Bret Engel for this amazing guest blog post.

Tips for Buying a Fixer-Upper as Your First Home

In 2020, 33% of homebuyers were first-timers, according to the National Association of REALTORS. Buying a fixer-upper can help you get into a home at a lower price. But understanding the process helps you make a smart purchase.

Buying Process

When you put in an offer, consider the home's value and required repairs. Having a home inspection helps you understand the extent of the repairs. Some homes are sold "as-is," which means the seller won't do repairs and doesn't guarantee the home's conditions. Home inspections are especially important for as-is homes. Consulting a lawyer and reviewing land records can help you spot red flags.

Additionally, you can look into setting up your flipping venture as a legal entity early in the process. This ensures that you enjoy tax benefits, as well as limit your personal liability. To start, get an EIN number. A formation service like Zenbusiness can take the task off your plate if you prefer not to do the legwork but also save on lawyer fees. 

Financing

Buying a fixer-upper can be expensive with the repairs. A mortgage calculator estimates the monthly payment based on the purchase price, down payment, mortgage rates, and loan length. Then, estimate repair costs.

You can finance the home like other purchases. You'll also need funding for renovations. If you want to finance the renovations, an FHA 203(k) loan lets you get one loan for the house and renovations.

What to Look For

Cosmetic issues are more affordable than structural issues. Foundation repairs typically range from $2,142 to $7,424 while a roof replacement runs $5,583 to $11,617, according to HomeAdvisor. Evaluate the extent of the repairs and get estimates to help decide.

Prepare for the Unexpected

Finding more issues once you start renovations is common. Save part of your renovation budget for surprise repairs. Unexpected issues also delay renovations. A total fixer-upper can take months to complete.

Prioritize Projects

Renovations often happen in stages when you're renovating the entire house. Unless you have a large remodeling budget available immediately, you'll need to prioritize the projects. Structural issues should be repaired first.

Next, consider which projects have the best return on investment. Garage door replacements offer a 93.8% ROI while an upscale master suite remodel only has a 47.7% ROI, according to Remodeling Magazine.

Once major renovations are done, hiring Let Your Space Bloom for organization helps improve your home's use. The services help you utilize the space well and unpack once you move into your renovated home.

DIY vs. Professional

DIY home renovations save money but can be dangerous and time-consuming. Figuring out how to do the repairs takes time, especially if you're doing it in your free time. Some jobs are dangerous if things go wrong. Doing wiring yourself can result in electrical shock or electrical fires if you make a mistake.

Low-risk tasks like demo and painting are good for DIYers. Projects that require a permit or specialty skills are better left to professionals. 

Stay or Go

Flipping the fixer-upper can be a profitable move. Calculate your investment and the estimated sale price to see if you can make a profit. Consider the pros and cons of staying. If the home is in your ideal neighborhood and has a good layout for your family, staying might be the right choice.

If not, selling and buying a better match is an option. Let Your Space Bloom offers pre-staging services if you sell.

Your First Home

Planning thoroughly helps you succeed in renovating a fixer-upper. Consider the organizing services from Let Your Space Bloom for the perfect finishing touch after the renovations.

And a big thanks to Mr. Bret Engle for this bodacious blog post. You may contact Bret at bret.engle@diyguys.net

Tiny Homes: Affordable Alternative or Passing Fad? A Study of the ‘Tiny Home’ Market in 2021

Tiny homes are usually under 600 square feet, though the average size of a tiny house for sale in the US measures just 225 square feet. Here are some key findings:

• The average tiny home in America costs $52,000, 87% cheaper than a regular home

• Per square foot, however, tiny homes are 62% more expensive than full-size homes

• Tiny houses are cheapest in North Dakota ($28,000), but Arkansas ($31,700) has the lowest price per square footage at $109 per square foot

• Hawaii has the most expensive tiny real estate, average home costing over $149,000 or $490 per square foot

• Tiny homes are most affordable in North Dakota, New Hampshire, and New Jersey where they cost less than 50% of an average annual household income

• Colorado (-4%) and Hawaii (-3%) are the only states where tiny homes cost less per square foot than regular homes

• In Massachusetts, tiny homes cost 91% less than regular homes, the biggest price difference than any other state

During the pandemic, a survey by IPX 1031 found as many as 86% of American first-time home buyers would consider buying a “tiny house” as their first home, citing affordability, efficiency, and eco-friendliness as their top considerations.

More recently, the post-pandemic housing boom has also manifested itself in the increased demand for these small living spaces. According to the Wall Street Journal, tiny house listings grew by an average of 8.6% a year since 2001. There are now more than 1.4 million homes that can be classified as “tiny”.

But what are tiny homes? How tiny are they actually? And are they really that much more affordable than their full-size counterparts?

What Are Tiny Homes and Who Is Buying Them?

Tiny houses probably reached their peak popularity when the TV show “Tiny House Nation” aired on Netflix in 2019. Small homes, typically under 600 square feet, are typically built on trailers (so they can be towed to wherever the owner’s heart desires). They are occasionally built on foundations like full-size, immovable homes.

Born out of the minimalist “less is more” narrative, the tiny house movement has popularized the idea that one can fit their life in a tiny house and enjoy it without the outsize expense of owning a full-size home. 

It’s also worth noting that like minimalism in general, the tiny house movement has historically struggled to differentiate itself from class privilege, due to its gentrification of lifestyles typically associated with poverty. Tiny homes are widely touted for their reduced carbon footprint and ability to serve as an affordable living option, both feats that smaller homes and mobile homes have always accomplished, yet which have never previously been socially linked to people not able to afford regular-sized homes.And yet it’s exactly this affordability which has in recent years attracted the attention of a greater number of Americans looking to buy a home. 

Statistically, Millennials are especially drawn to tiny homes due to their price, flexibility of location for remote work, and eco-friendliness. And for Baby Boomers, a tiny house is an opportunity to exchange a big empty nest of a family home for something more affordable with significantly less upkeep. These are the two demographics who are most active on the tiny house market, according to TechNavio.

For further details on this study, please click on the original article.

*Content posted with permission from Lorena Romo, Content Marketing - Porch.com

Organizing Children's Chores During Quarantine

With most school buildings still closed, kids will have to continue learning virtually and stay at home for a much longer period, especially if they live in areas where lock-downs are being implemented. Given their seemingly boundless energy, it’s easy to assume that kids will be bored being stuck at home longer than they ever expected. Then again, that doesn’t have to be the case. You can keep your kids occupied with activities the entire time. You can arrange for playtime, screen time, and most importantly, chore time to give them things to do while quarantined. An easy way to delegate chores is by using a chore app for kids, especially if you’re getting them to do chores as a way of teaching them about money management.

Before you can organize your kids’ chores, you will need to get them to agree to do them first. Without a doubt, many children would not be too keen on doing household tasks. If your kids like doing chores, then you can consider yourself fortunate. If they don’t, then you still have to get them to help out just the same simply because chores teach them responsibility, self-reliance, and money management skills if you’re giving them an allowance for tasks they do. Many kids may not be too enthusiastic about chores, but the life skills they learn from doing them today will help them later in adult life, and they could only appreciate your helping them out in that regard.

When assigning your kids tasks around the house while in quarantine, always keep in mind that they all should be age-appropriate. For 4 to 5-year-olds, age-appropriate tasks would include folding towels, wiping surfaces, dusting, and sorting laundry. Meanwhile, kids ages 6 to 8-years old can already do more labor-intensive tasks like sweeping the floor, watering the plants, and cleaning their room. More complex tasks like loading and unloading the dishwasher, making easy-to-prepare meals, raking the yard, and changing bed sheets are ideal for 9 to12-year-old children. Teenagers can do any of the above, as well as mowing the lawn, washing the car, preparing full meals, doing the laundry, and most other grown-up household tasks.

There is no better way to organize the tasks you expect your children to do than create a chore chart. With a chore chart, you should be able to list all tasks that need doing and break them down into individual lists for your kids, primarily according to their ages. You can set easy-to-follow schedules and deadlines, and if you’re giving them an allowance, a chore chart can also make tracking the money they make easier. Some parents go for printable chore charts and post them somewhere in the house for everyone to check on a daily basis. However, considering how tech-savvy children these days are, chore apps for kids can offer an easier way of creating and managing chore charts, especially if they receive an allowance for completed tasks.

Aside from making it easier to give out tasks and set schedules and deadlines, a kid’s chore app also gives parents full control when assigning a monetary value to every single chore and transferring funds to their kids’ accounts. All they have to do is check the app for a given chore, complete the task, and tap it as complete on their dashboard. The beauty of these apps is that they also teach kids financial skills like saving, investing, and giving to charity. The benefits they receive from doing well-organized chores during the quarantine, can help make the situation more bearable and manageable.

I hope these ideas help your quarantined space to BLOOM in Maryland and beyond. A special thank you to Samantha Green, Content Marketing Strategist for BusyKid, for this wonderful guest blog post.

Declutter In A Snap: 9 Simple Ideas To Thin Out Your Closet

The idea of decluttering your entire walk-in or reach-in closet might feel overwhelming. You know there are clothes lurking in the corners of your closet that you haven’t touched in months—maybe even years. There are extra hangers crowding your closet rod and each time you rummage through your drawers for a fresh pair of socks, you inevitably pull out one or two orphans or a pair worn thin.

Before you take on cleaning out your entire closet, which, we admit, does take a chunk of time, here are some odds and ends you can get rid of in just a few minutes to instantly make it feel a little more open.

Extra hangers—especially metal ones

The metal hangers your freshly dry-cleaned clothes hang on aren’t good for your garments—and they can bend and warp under the weight of a nice dress or suit. Remove them, and any other extra hangers from your closet, to instantly add hanging space. Your dry cleaner may even take back the hangers and reuse them.

Orphaned gloves

As much as you loved those cute wool mittens, if you lost one last winter, it’s time to part with the orphan. They’re only taking up much-needed room in a closet basket or a drawer.

Worn out belts

Leather belts that are cracked, worn out or completely out of style are likely taking up space in your closet or drawers. And if you work in an office that’s gone casual, you might not have much use for some belts anymore. Donate those that are still in good condition but not worn, and toss out the others. (While you’re at it, you should replace your belt storage with a slide-out belt rack.)

Single socks or those with holes in them

Socks wear out quickly—others often mysteriously go missing after a dryer cycle. While it’s okay to hold out hope you’ll find a missing sock for a few laundry days, if you can’t seem to reunite it with its match, it’s time to move on. Pitch them in the trash or upcycle them.
Broken jewelry

Sorry to say that if you haven’t fixed that broken necklace in two years, you probably won’t wear it. Review your jewelry when you get a spare 15 minutes and declutter your jewelry storage by getting rid of anything that’s broken.

Worn out undergarments

Underwear and bras can wear out quickly—but when you’re quickly folding laundry, you might not take the time to inspect everything and discard anything in bad shape. Go through your undergarments drawer and throw out your old underwear.

Extra buttons

If you’re anything like me, you have a small box overflowing with spare buttons the thread from knits and sweaters past. How often do you use actually use that spare button? If the answer is “not often,” then pitch them. The same goes for spare buttons that fell off clothing and weren’t replaced. Time to say goodbye.

Broken sunglasses and other accessories

Free up space on your dresser, near your vanity or in your jewelry armoire by finally getting rid of those broken sunglasses and accessories. The likelihood of you fixing them is little to none.

I hope these tips help your space BLOOM in Baltimore, Maryland and beyond! And a special thanks to closetworksinc.com for this fantastic guest blog post.