After spending too much time at home, many people realize that their places need a little improvement. Whether you need a more functional home office or more comfortable recreational spaces, this blog will provide you with six home projects to improve your home. Some of these ideas will need a substantial budget and maybe professional help, but we assure you that the effort will be worth it. However, we include some easier and straightforward improvements too.

1. Set a home office

Of course, setting a proper home office is the goal of thousands of Americans. The pandemic isn’t over yet, and many prefer the privacy and flexibility of working from home. Why don’t we make it more comfortable and stable? You can turn your guest room (or an area in your basement) into a perfectly functional office space. The fun part comes when choosing what appeals more to you regarding your primary needs, routine, and personal taste. Don’t be afraid to invest in a quality chair and desk! Check more ideas here.

2. Replace your windows

Adding more natural light is crucial if you want to make your home feel more spacious and comfortable. Natural light can also help you spend less on heating and cooling and improve your mental health during long at-home days.

3. Build an outdoor entertainment space

You can do many yard projects with less money than you think, like building a small deck or a pergola. These kinds of home improvements are trendy nowadays because people want a more spacious and comfortable home after the lengthy 2020 lockdown. Think about what will work better for you and start upgrading your patio. Perhaps you only need to enclose your porch. Check more ideas here.

4. Update your kitchen

According to Remodeling Magazine, kitchen upgrades are trending now, as people use this area for multitasking purposes. Larger island hubs and bigger tables are an expected improvement as they allow homeowners to cook and maneuver around the kitchen with more freedom. If you don’t have a big budget, try enhancing your storage with a sliding rack beside the fridge and wall built-ins.

5. Use easy-care materials and fixtures

Not everything has to be bigger and more equipped. If you want to improve your home by having less to clean, consider replacing your fixtures and furniture. Families with children or pets will understand! Search for easy-to-clean materials so you can finish your home sanitation and daily chores faster. Non-porous materials like metal, glass, or quartz will do the trick, and also washable rugs and minimalist fixtures.

6. Choose colors with a comfortable feel

Trending colors for 2021 lend toward warmer tones like orange, red, coffee, beige, and all their variants. Also, soothing tones like blush pinks and pale blues are getting very popular because everyone wants to feel relaxed in their place.

We hope these large projects and organizing tips for home are useful for you. There’s nothing like living in your dream house, and investing time and effort is the way to achieve it. However, if you need a hand with your daily cleaning chores, contact Illinois Valley Clean Team. Book your service on our website.  

Winter is a beautiful season because of the holidays and the snowfalls, but it comes with some issues too. Whether it’s the thermostat that goes on and off during prolonged periods, obstructed gutters that damage the roof, or simply you want to work in your garden, but the weather isn’t kind enough, winter is the perfect time to make some changes around the house.

Keep reading this blog to learn some home essentials 101 this January 2021, including budget-friendly hacks to keep the house warm, free from humidity and mold, and even some yard maintenance.

1. Check your drainage and gutters

Nobody likes to clean the gutters and drains, period, but doing this will help you save money in the long run. After all, you don’t have to replace well-maintained gutters! You will also prevent damage to the roof or humidity accumulation (that frequently leads to mold) and other nasty home problems. Do it before the next big storm and keep your roof in good condition.

2. Install or maintain window wells

Speaking of mold, an excellent way to keep humidity out of your basement is to install window wells. Ventilation and natural light are essential to keep that part of your house fresh and stainless, and well-installed window wells are the best budget-friendly option for doing this. However, you need a professional to do it because any mistake in the measure or materials can lead to flooding. If you already have window wells, inspect the liner and remove any debris and dirt periodically.

3. Seal your doors and windows

Open and close your doors and windows. Do you notice a gap between the wall? Generally, old windows and worn-out doors have this problem. Shut them properly and stop drafts from cooling your home and raising your HVAC bill. Enter here if you want to know the best methods to seal those leaky windows and doors.

4. Stop rapid cycling on your heating system

Rapid cycling is when your thermostat goes on and off to maintain the right temperature in your home. Most heating systems are programmed to sense a 1-degree or 1.5-degree drop and immediately act. This can occur every three minutes, and it certainly wastes a lot of money. Adjust your programmable thermostat and make sure the cycle does not repeat so often.

5. Move the furniture, change your drapes

Perhaps the most inexpensive and effortless action you can take to keep your home warmer during winter is to arrange your furniture and open your curtains when necessary. Get to know your home’s natural process: at which hours does the living room feel colder? If you let the afternoon sunlight get in, will your rooms get warm enough? You will be surprised that taking these small actions will produce considerable changes in your indoor temperature, and maybe you will be using your thermostat a little less.

6. Do a little maintenance for your yard

What better moment to do some yard keeping than in the winter downtime? Without those thick shrubs and branches that flourish in spring and summer, you can do your maintenance tasks without too much effort and no concern about damaging your precious plants. You can prune your trees, feed the wildlife, and even plant some bare-root plants.

We hope these six hacks to keep the house warm and free from mold were useful to you. Remember to enjoy your free time, get plenty of rest, and take care of your health during the winter. If you need any help with your cleaning chores, contact Illinois Valley Clean Team.

As we get closer to Christmas, getting a gift for your family and friends is a special way to show love, kindness, and gratitude. But with the current COVID-19 pandemic still going on, it’s uncertain if we will be able to visit or host our loved ones during Christmas.

However, sending some practical gifts for friends and family to their doorstep or post office can be unique and thoughtful—from gift cards, and coronavirus care packages to DIY gifts would help cheer their mood and know that you’re still thinking about them.

Here’s a list of the best gifts to send your loved ones for Christmas. From gift snacks to other types of presents, there’s something for everyone on the list.

1. Postcards

Instead of sending a plain package of tennis shoes, send a note too. As they say, words are powerful. Unlike the usual “just checking in” messages, send romantic, funny, and humorous messages or photos to make them feel appreciated. These postcards will show how much you care and miss them!

2. Personalized Décor LED Night Light

Personalized Décor LED Night Light is a winner for your family and friends. Choose the one that is double customized with a modern- design with the beginning letter of your family. You can add up ten characters that will be cut from the letter lamp and allow light to come out.

3. Bucket List

Every single person has dreams about what they want in the future. But every family also has the little things that they want to fulfill as a whole. Sending them a literal bucket list will help them put the things they wish to do in one place. 

This bucket contains 30 cards and crayons, pens, markers, or chalks to write down what they want to do together with specific deadlines. It will also assist them in remembering to accomplish the tasks put in place.

4. Family Tree Wall Art

Instead of going for walks and outings to photoshoots for Christmas amid this pandemic, personalized family tree wall art will be the best thing to gift your family members. A family photo creates unity. You can choose a tree wall art with the number of birds depending on how many family members you have.

5. Chocolate Gift Baskets

Get your loved ones some chocolate caramel and crunch grand gift basket for Christmas. It is not only fun to unwrap the gift basket, but the imagination of the delicacy in front. 

6. Meal kits

Probably your loved ones are missing catching up with you at that fancy and traditional restaurant.  But due to COVID-19 guidelines, a meal kit will have to do . You can order their favorite meal from a popular restaurant and still enjoy their festive dinner, breakfast or lunch.

 7. Book for them services like groceries delivered to their home  

With the pandemic, getting groceries from the market can be a difficult task, especially for those in quarantine. By getting them direct services offered by any company, groceries will be delivered to their doorsteps. This will make them know that you still care about them.

In case you also need to purchase gift cards for your loved ones, give us a call today (815-223-5273).

To Wrap It Up

Perhaps you have a loved one who is isolated or in areas with a high number of COVID-19 infections? Getting gifts for them will be the best idea! Gifts are a perfect way for your entire family to feel your presence, to know that you care and to enjoy in one way or the other.

This article has provided you with a list of the best items to gift your loved ones for Christmas.  As the festive season is around the corner, don’t hesitate, now is the perfect time to buy them a gift to show them that they are still important in your life.