Smart Living

Get practical advice and inspiration on organizing, home décor, lifestyle and personal finance for everyday living.

Home Improvement 101: Five Must-Have Tools

If you own a house, you’re well aware of how costly maintenance and renovations can be when hiring a professional. Though there will be times when it would be necessary to get professional help, such as when running wiring, however, on the other hand, there are many jobs that you can complete on your own to get satisfaction and obviously to save money.

relaxing rooftop deck of an apartment building

Gilbert And Chandler In AZ And Irvine In CA Stand Out As Best Renter Hubs For Lifestyle Amenities

Key takeaways:

Multi-purpose Homes: How To Create A Living Space That Serves As An Office, Playground, Gym and More

The way we use our homes and the roles that a house must fulfill change over time, as society itself changes. Those changes are usually subtle, and it takes plenty of time until new trends become generalized. For example, we now live in much larger houses(opens in new tab) than in the past, but this shift in housing size happened over decades – in 2019, the median size of a newly built home was over 2,300 square feet, according to the US Census(opens in new tab), almost 1,000 square feet more than the median home in 1973.

5 Stylish And Sustainable Home Renovation Projects

The housing market has seen significant traffic during the pandemic with more and more people investing in homes. While purchasing and renovating a home, it is important to remember your responsibility to the planet. Climate change is a major issue facing our globe today. Luckily, there are many ways you can live an eco-friendly life, even at home. When renovating your new or old home, consider projects that are not only stylish and fun but also sustainable and eco-friendly. There are many projects you can do using eco-friendly materials so that you don’t have to sacrifice your style for the environment and vice versa. Start renovating your home today in a way that is both stylish and sustainable by considering the five ideas below.

Should I Fix Up My Home Or Try To Sell It As Is?

An eternal real estate market question is whether it’s worth renovating your property before you try to sell it, or is it unnecessary to spend that money? According to the experts, a pre-sale renovation may pay off; however, due to higher and higher construction costs, the renovation might be pricey. At the same time, the question for buyers is whether it pays to buy a renovated home or is it better to renovate a cheaper property that could become a dream home?

Setting Up A Kids Playroom At Home (Plus Some Great Toy Storage Ideas)

Children are often at the center of attention when organizing space at home, and many parents think about setting up a playroom. Kids generally need a fun and versatile space where they can play, keep their toys, be active, develop their skills and imagination, and also have a cozy spot to relax. Naturally, school-aged children also need a dedicated space for reading and doing homework. Fitting all this into a home or apartment is challenging, but with careful planning, effective storage solutions(opens in new tab), and a bit of inspiration, you can create the perfect playroom to nurture your child’s creativity and well-being.

cyclist on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC

New To D.C. And A Cyclist? Find Your Happy Place Among 10 Of The Best Bike-Friendly Neighborhoods

As the country’s capital, Washington, DC shines not only through its political weight but the city also offers various employment and entertainment opportunities catering to different types of interests, whether you’re a history buff or an outdoor enthusiast. DC is especially friendly to cyclists, as the city’s infrastructure includes both designated bike lanes as well as biking trails and biking spots in the city’s many parks. The slogan “If you build it, they will come” holds true in the case of DC’s bike lanes, as about 4.4% of DC’s workers bike to work, according to American Census Community data. That’s a lot higher than the national average of 0.5%. If you’re looking for a bike-friendly community in the city, here are some of the best DC communities for you:

10 Of The Best Home Organizing Shows To Watch In 2021

Having a well-organized, neat and tidy home is a goal for most of us. However, getting started (and following through with that commitment) can be quite challenging. Fortunately, there are now many home organizing shows and social media channels that can nudge us in the right direction and provide the information and support that we need to reach our goal.

Capsule Wardrobe Guide: 10 Declutter Tips That Actually Work

Keeping tidy is no easy task – even more so when talking about our closets. But a cluttered closet comes with a wide range of problems none of us want, from permanently feeling like you have nothing to wear to being overwhelmed. Next, we’re looking at 10 closet decluttering tips that actually work.

aerial view of Anaheim

15 Steps To Help You Buy Your Dream Home in Anaheim, Ca.

Home to Disneyland, Anaheim is so much more than “the happiest place on earth.” With a rich historic heritage and an enticing Mediterranean climate, the city has a lot to offer to its residents. Part of the Orange County metro area, it is the 10th largest city in California. If you’re looking to live in a beautiful city nestled between Los Angeles and San Diego, then Anaheim is the place for you. If you’re planning to buy a home here — you decided it’s time to ditch living with roommates — in order to plant roots here, you should know the local housing market is very competitive in 2021.

The 10 Best Local Home Improvement And Furniture Stores In Denver

Denver makes a very agreeable place to live(opens in new tab), as the city’s residents will proudly declare. But its appeal transcends city and state limits as it attracts people from across the US(opens in new tab). Denver has been on the list of the fastest growing metros in the US for years now, and its population is expected to increase to over 3.6 million(opens in new tab) by 2030.

One bedroom apartment storage

How Big Of A Storage Unit Do I Need For A 1-Bed Apartment?

Packing up your stuff and moving out is an easier chore for residents of one-bedroom apartments than it is for those living in large homes. Even so, a bit of preparation is still needed, and a self storage unit helps you throughout the moving process.