25 Home Decorating Trends that Haven't Aged Well
Style is as individual as human beings are, but we can generally agree that there are some style trends that should be left in the past. Before you jump on the latest home decorating bandwagon, consider how these trends fared. Living room Clutter: Resembling a hoarder is never a good look, and neither is mixing too many patterns and styles. Fake plants: They age quickly and get ragged and dusty. Why go fake when real plants are available? Plastic furniture covers: They’re not comfortable and they’re reminiscent of Grandma. They have to go. Deer heads on walls: Use animal trophies and skins in moderation, if at all. Pine everywhere: When everything is made from the same material, the room feels like it’s eating itself. Bedroom Minimalism: Just as bad as too much clutter is the too-neutral hotel-room look. Monochrome: Obsessions with monochrome date a home. Industrial style: The industrial look is one that’s going to pinned to a specific era. Bedroom Matching everything: When your aesthetic is “everything matching,” even if it’s all new, it looks decades old. Wallpaper borders: All the rage for a time, now there are so many better options in paint and wallpaper available. Animal prints: It might be unfair, but rooms decorated entirely in animal prints seem a little immature. Bedroom Inflatable furniture: How old are you?! It’s not comfortable and doesn’t look nice. Shag carpet: It’s linked to the 1970s and it’s a nightmare to clean. Replace it! Wood-paneled walls: Too much wood in one place is overwhelming, and wood panels are a trend from the past. Elaborate window treatments: Valances and swags go in and out of style; for a timeless look, go with simple curtains or wooden blinds. Deck/outdoor area Edison bulbs: These were cool for a time, but the light is harsh, and there are so many better options. Kitchen Colored appliances: In the 1970s it was avocado green. Are you sure your choice of appliance color isn’t going to similarly date your kitchen? Macramé plant hangings: Macramé everywhere was never a good look, but it is a good way to make a room look stuck in a time warp. Vertical blinds: These don’t do a great job of blocking light and don’t look great open or closed. Linoleum floors: Linoleum was popular when it first came out, but it doesn’t wear well. Tile countertops: Tough to clean and a little dated, marble or granite are more modern options. Bathroom Glass block walls: Use skylights or upgrade your light bulbs instead of using the glass block walls that were so popular once upon a time. Popcorn ceilings: Much maligned in decorating circles for good reason, the popcorn ceiling never looked good but was everywhere. Carpet: Do we need to explain why carpet in the bathroom is gross apart from also not being trendy anymore? Words on walls: The decals make it so easy, but this trend has lost its appeal.
Annual Home Maintenance Checklist
Monthly Inspect HVAC and furnace filters; replace every 2-3 months Clean range hood filters Check water softener Look for leaks around toilets and sinks Inspect sink drains and remove any clogs Vacuum heat registers and vents Clean garbage disposal Biannually Deep clean Test pressure relief valve on water heater Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors Vacuum refrigerator coils (depending on age of fridge) Annually Spring Service your A/C Check gutters and drainage Roof inspection Test your sump pump Check grout in bathroom and kitchen Check windows and screens Inspect sidewalks, walkways, and driveway Power-wash siding Seed and fertilize lawn Inspect kids’ play equipment Summer Clean ducts Sweep chimney Get heating systems ready Clean clothes dryer vent Clean garage Inspect decks Check your siding Test lawn irrigation Prune trees and shrubs Fall Winterize A/C Flush and store hoses Check gutters and drainage Drain hot water heater Look for signs of pests Aerate the lawn Seal cracks and gaps in windows Power-wash siding Rake and remove leaves Fix driveway cracks or gaps Clean window and door screens Fix squeaky door handles or loose hinges Insulate exposed pipes Cover and store outdoor furniture Winter Break icicles Watch for ice dams Check for drafts Remove showerheads and clean During thaws, check basement for leaks
Tax Advantages of Owning Real Estate
Tax Advantages of Owning Real Estate Usually, it would be expected that the government would take money for the real estate that you own. Since you are gaining a profit off of it for a livelihood it should work like any other job that you have. However, you can take advantage of several tax breaks for your real estate, all which will help you with the ownership of your property. If you own a home, then you can also expect for it to be tax deductible. All home related expenses and refinancing that you decide to do for your home will be a way for you to take off money at the end of the year. You can also receive tax deductions from the mortgage interest that you pay. If you just own a home or if you are considering home equity, you can easily find a way to break off some of what you would owe. When you are working on owning a home, you will be paying property taxes in your monthly payment towards your loan. If you have been paying these taxes throughout the year, they will be deductible on your taxes. In order to make sure this is part of the deduction, you will have to get a statement from the person who carried out the loan as well as find the interest that is connected to the property taxes that you have been paying. If you have to sell your home and owe tax, you can allow a request for tax relief. This will be given to you by the IRS if they find a significant cause in selling your home. If there are uncertain circumstances that have forced you to sell your home, than the IRS can give you some benefits in taxes. By finding the necessary forms and conditions, you can easily benefit by gaining tax relief with your ownership. You can easily find how to do this by researching possibilities and finding what the categories are for getting a tax break for the year.
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