Home improvements you should never DIY

Getting your hands dirty around your home can feel very rewarding. Not only will you save quite a bit of money on labor, but you also get to be creative and spend your time in a useful way. This is particularly true when you are stuck at home for long periods of time. However, there are certain home improvements you should never DIY. While painting your walls or even changing your backsplash may actually warrant a ‘how hard can it be’ approach, certain repairs require skills that may not be at your disposal. Not only might you find yourself unable to finish the repair, but you can actually end up hurting yourself or causing lasting damage.

Getting ready for renovations

In order for your home improvement to go swimmingly, you should take certain steps beforehand. If you are doing a DIY project, you will obviously have to gather all of the tools and materials you’ll need for the repair. Hiring professional help allows you to skip this step, but you still have to protect your belongings during the renovations. Covering furniture to keep it from getting dirty is one useful tip, while in some cases you may want to pack up your things and store them away. If you need help with your packing, you can also hire professional help, or simply ask your friends for a favor.

Top 5 home repairs you should never do yourself

Plumbing

Larger plumbing repairs are definitely among the home projects you should never DIY. Some minor improvements like changing a shower head or a faucet are not too complicated and do not require an extensive skillset or special tools. However, anything more than that can seem fairly straightforward at first, but can easily become complicated and require you to seek help after all.

While installing a new faucet might be something you will feel confident doing, other plumbing projects are among the home improvements you should never DIY.

One such project is installing a new kitchen sink, for example. In some cases, this can actually go without a hitch. However, you will still need to spend money on certain tools and bits and pieces which a plumber will already have in their arsenal. On top of this, being inexperienced can lead to later leaks and problems. People often end up paying double what they would have spent on a professional plumber.It really is true that water will find a way through even the tiniest of cracks. Save yourself the headache and hire a professional.

Electrical repairs and improvements

Perhaps the main one of the 5 home repairs you should never do yourself is anything involving electricity. While water can cause a lot of damage and incur additional expenses with faulty plumbing, messing around with electrical currents can actually be life-threatening. Certain projects will, again, be within your reach, but you want to be extra careful when you do them. The safest way to do it, especially if you do not own a lot of tools, is to turn off your master switch. In certain cases, you’ll even need a permit to make the improvement in your home which will be an additional push towards hiring an electrician. Even if you like playing the handyman around the house, this may be an area where you’ll want to take a step back.

Hiring an electrician is always better than putting yourself at risk.

Structural work

Structural work usually implies taking down walls and changing the organization of your home. These changes are also home improvements you should never DIY as they can be quite dangerous and damaging if done wrong. The main mistake you could make is tearing down a load-bearing wall. Even if you have access to blueprints or you know which ones you shouldn’t touch, changing the structure of your home without professional help can be a recipe for disaster. Even doing something as little as breaking through a wall to install a door can undermine the integrity of your home. This kind of work is among the biggest projects you can undertake, so it would be a good idea to get your belongings out of the space. Renting a storage during renovations would ensure your things remain safe and the workers can have enough space to get the job done.

Installing gas appliances

In line with electrical and plumbing work, installing gas appliances is also on the list of the top 5 home repairs you should never do yourself. It doesn’t really matter if it is a gas oven, water heater or dryer. Even if you are very careful and have the appropriate tools, if you do not know what to look for, you could still have a leak. Not only are gas leaks a health hazard, but they can cause even more damage as they can cause explosions or fires in your home. To stay on the safe side, always have a professional around when dealing with gas repairs or installing gas appliances.

Doing DIY projects that involve gas appliances can be quite dangerous as you can be unaware of any potential leaks.

Asbestos removal

The final addition to the home improvements you should never DIY list is removing asbestos. Owners of newer homes won’t have to deal with this predicament as the use of asbestos for insulation was banned in 1989 in the US. In many states, there are even laws against removing it yourself. Even if these laws aren’t at play where you are, removing asbestos yourself is still not recommended. The main reason for this is that doing it yourself would expose you and those around you to its toxicity. This is definitely not the kind of home improvement project you want to take on yourself. As with the other four on this list, err on the side of caution and ease and let the professionals handle this for you.

Importance of landscaping in apartment complex

As the global consciousness about the preservation of the environment is rising, the importance of landscape architecture is deeply felt by everyone and implemented in as many areas as possible. The fact is, surroundings make a significant contribution to our quality of life. The presence of lush greenery in abundance along with vast stretches of planned lawns, impeccably landscaped avenues, and rows of gorgeous flowering trees – right outside your windows are treating to the eyes and joy to the soul.

Premium apartment complexes stand apart by offering stunning outdoor spaces for their residents to enjoy throughout the year. Adding gorgeous, well-maintained trees and landscapes offers substantial benefits to those living within the complex. Also, adding shade trees and landscape gardens provides a large amount of financial value to the apartment complex. In Newtown, the newly developed planned city in Kolkata, the apartment complexes receive great financial benefit by increased property values because of the addition of valuable shade trees and well-manicured landscaping. A young couple working in IT Sector of Saltlake Sector 5, wanted to live closer to their workplace. So, they settled for a premium 3 BHK apartment in Rajarhat, Newtown where bonding over cups of their favourite tea while enjoying the community’s landscaped vistas is a morning ritual for them.

But why landscaping is becoming a priority for developers?

1.   Sustainability:

Landscaping can make a constructive contribution to the improvement rather than the destruction of environment. Plants that form an important element in landscape design aid in reducing the pollution of the environment and minimizing some of the effects of heat, sound, wind, air etc. Sustainable approaches represent holistic strategies which are making our environment healthier and cleaner. Landscape architecture has a major role in this practice, starting with energy saving and going all the way to water purification. That’s why housing complexes are giving more importance to ample natural light processing, extensive shading, and energy saving avenues, rainwater harvesting, compost reserves.

2.   Aesthetic value:

The addition of healthy shade trees and beautiful landscape gardens would also add significant aesthetic value to the apartment complex property. Landscaping makes dull areas look pleasing and it is possible to make ordinary homes into spectacular ones with proper planning. Apartment complexes having paths between buildings can have landscaping pebbles or gravel which creates a polished, refined look. Housing complexes that look good visually easily attract buyers. And landscape architecture plays a major role in bringing out the view as well as in hiding the unattractive elements, such as old walls, sewer pipelines and open drains. Highlighting a tranquil and picturesque outdoor atmosphere throughout the year can help a lot while promoting residential properties. Landscaping enhances the property appeal and adds value to it.

3.   Functionality:

Landscape architecture is redefining luxury in residential properties by providing an outdoor environment that is creative as well as functional in many ways. While children can come close to nature within the premises, adults can enjoy a lazy stroll around in the evening or go for jogging inhaling fresh air every day. Residents will also have a place for healthy recreation and socialisation. Trees and shrubs strategically planted throughout the complex can help block window access and door entry by burglars, lowering the potential for criminal activity.

5 Ways A Swimming Pool in the Residential Complex is Beneficial

While a swimming pool is nowadays a pretty familiar amenity available in the residential complex, you cannot ignore its benefits.Firstly, it amps up the luxury quotient. In fact, the modern day living is simply incomplete without a pool in your residential complex. From premium flats to the budget ones, a pool in the residential project is more of a lifestyle amenity.But, did you ever wonder, how a pool inside the complex impacts your lifestyle? Is it simply a relaxation spot and a place to catch up with fellow residents? Let’s find out what the owners think.

“I believe, swimming pools are more than about refreshing dips on a breezy evening or a sunny morning.Benefits are mostly related to your health”, says Mr. Sarkar, an IT employee, who has recently booked a 2 BHK flatnear Barasat Railway station.

1. Helps You De-stress & Fights Anxiety

You might know that an ongoing and unaddressed anxiety can take a toll on your health. While regular exercise can help you a lot, a busy schedule doesn’t give you the luxury of time. But, a 45 mins refreshing dip in cool waters can be the antidote to your increasing stress.And, with a pool inside your residential complex, you do not need to manage an extra time for going outside and work out. Regular swimming can address stress related issues like anxiety, insomnia, depression and weight gain. It secretes “happy hormone” serotonin in your brain, thus keeping you upbeat evenafter a hectic day.

2. Fun Way to Work Out

Experts say, swimming is a fun way to keep anxiety at bay. And, when it’s inside your residential complex, you can visit the pool any time. In many complexes,pool sides are happening relaxation spot. You can carry out your regular physical activity in that space, which obviously has numerous wellness benefits. Moreover, swimming with your fellow residents is an incredibly fun form of exercise that gets your heart pumping and body moving in a dynamic way.

3. Wellness Benefits of the Outdoor exercise

While indoor exercise is great, outdoor activities can offer you a plethora of unique benefits. Various studies reveal that outdoor activities increases brain function and enhance concentration skills. And with a swimming pool inside the complex, outdoor exercises are like everyday affair. First of all, you do not need to go too far and away from your home. So, you can actually enjoy the benefits of outdoor workouts without compromising on your valuable time.

4. Promotes Social Interaction

A swimming pool on the residential complex enables you to spend time with family and friends.. Such kind of socialization is immensely important for general and psychological well-being. A residential pool can be a perfect hangout spot for the kids, where they can get engaged in some water sports and interact.

5. Fun Time Around the Pools

With a pool in your residential complex, you can think of arranging your kid’s birthday party and other fun events in the poolside. 

Indoor Lighting Ideas to Brighten Up Your Mood

Do you feel more energetic on sunny days and more creative with the lights turned down low? Well it’s not a random phenomenon. The reason is, different kinds of light we’re exposed to, can have a different impact on our emotional health and wellbeing.Light actually does much more than giving us the ability to see.In fact, they have the ability to change the whole feeling of a space by creating a mood and an ambiance.

Perfect lighting arrangement can enhance the mood and desirability of a space. Proper ambient, task and accent lighting cannot only brighten up your home but boost your brains to help you feel more optimistic as well. As a large number of working professionals are working from home, creating a positive and productive environment at home has become a necessity.

Let’s invest some thoughts into lighting up these dark days with some great lighting ideas!

1.   Brighten your space with LED bulbs:

LED bulbs produce warm or cool light that are typically the most appealing and are used in living rooms and bedrooms. Some spaces in our home need ambient lighting. A well-lit living room can make you feel happier while a cool, white-toned light encourages calmness. Premium quality LED bulbs illuminate a room with great brightness that can mimic a sunny day. We feel more sociable, cheerful and alert in such a room.

2.   Bring in warm glow with LED candles:

Create an atmosphere of romance in your bedroom with LED candles. Soft lights bring a sense of intimacy and also works in harmony with our body clock. Soft lights allow the melatonin level to rise, readying it for sleep. We dim the light or switch it off as a darker room helps us feel relaxed and comfortable. Use dimmable mood lighting to customize illumination of the room. Visual warmth can be created with LED candles or lamps. Choose flamboyant lampshades with the right light output to create your desirable ambiance.

3.   Focus better with Task lighting:

Task lighting is perfect for accomplishing jobs that require attention to detail. Workspaces in the home such as kitchens, home offices, craft rooms and basements or garages need bright, straightforward lighting. If you prefer chic style in your home interior, pendant lights hung from the ceiling can increase the aesthetic aspects. Table and desk lamps with neutral white or cool white light help to concentrate better without disturbing the ambience of the rest of the room.

4.   Create some drama with Accent Lighting:

Accent lighting creates a balance of visibility throughout the room. These lights create moods of rest and relaxation, intense energy or intimate romance. If you have some artistic pieces to show off, accent lighting is perfect to highlight the works of art, sculpture and furniture pieces that occupy a space. The light and shadow illumination create a drama in the interior that look gorgeous and provide a stylish vibe in the space. Check the concealed lighting prices here.

5.   Add a ‘wow’ factor with string lights:

Even simple string lights can create a warm and welcoming vibe in your home. String along a shelf above your working desk or by the railing of your balcony to add a touch of playfulness. Add a sense of style without sacrificing productivity by having some string lights and warm up your cozy workspace. Hang them around floaty curtains in your bedroom for a magical atmosphere. The pretty lights will give a more personal touch to your space and easily make you feel happy.