Collaborative postDoes your home have a dedicated office space?With more of us working from home than ever before - it’s estimated that by 2020 up to 50% of the UK workforce will be working remotely - the demand on our homes to provide a comfortable, stimulating working environment has never been greater.Even if you don’t work from home, chances are you need to use your home for some form of ‘office’ work on a fairly regular ...
Fun ways to capture children’s artwork
Collaborative postDo you have kids who love to draw, paint and craft? If the answer is yes, chances are you’ll be struggling to keep up with storing and displaying their creations - there’s only so much room on the fridge, after all!Putting your children's artwork on display is a lovely way to celebrate their skills and give a real family feel to your home. But it’s easy to run out of space and inspiration, so here are some ...
Five easy ways to encourage outdoor play
Collaborative postIf you’re a parent or carer, you’ll no doubt be well aware of the constant presence of screens and the internet in your children’s lives. And you probably spend quite a bit of time and energy trying to strike a healthy balance between screen time and other activities.One really great way to achieve that balance is to encourage outdoor play. Getting kids active outside has so many benefits: it encourages ...
Tips for handling debt
Collaborative postBeing in debt is not something anyone aims for, but a lot of us are probably in exactly that position. According to the TUC, the average UK household has £886 more non-mortgage related debt than they did the year before.If you’re in a situation where your debt is getting worse, or not going down, you need to take action to get it under control. Here are some tips for handling debt to get you started.First steps ...
How to budget for a switch to part-time work
Collaborative postIs making the switch to part-time work something you'd love to do?There are many reasons why people work part-time. Perhaps you’re returning to work after having a baby, and would like to reduce your hours to spend more time at home with your little one. Or you may be starting to think about retirement, but don’t feel ready to give up your job completely. Alternatively, it could be all about freeing up time to pursue ...
Boiler replacement: what to think about before you buy
Collaborative postBoilers: we tend to take them for granted, don’t we? I know I only really think about ours when it stops working, or when the energy bills arrive! But if you’ve ever suffered through a boiler replacement in the colder months of the year - which is when they tend to break - you’ll know just how vital a boiler is to the comfort and function of your home.The reason boilers tend to break down in winter is because ...
Tool Hire: why renting the right tool for the job makes sense
Collaborative postAre you working on a renovation project or creating your dream home? Having the right tools for the job can make all the difference; if you've ever tried to make do with a tool that isn't quite fit for purpose, you'll probably know only too well just how quickly it can take the joy out of your project. Having said that, buying all the equipment you need can often be very expensive. This is where tool rental could be ...
The Non-Parent’s Guide to Birthday Gifts for Kids
Collaborative postIf you’re a parent and your child’s birthday is coming up, the chances are you’re already quite organised and clued-up when it comes to presents. Whether they’ve left you one too many hints to ignore, or you’ve seen something you’d know they’d love, you’ve probably got it sorted.But what about all the uncles, aunties, friends-of-friends, godparents, and network of wider family members? Obviously you can ask the ...
Family Home Storage Tips
Collaborative postHaving enough storage space in a family home can make a huge difference to the practicality and look of your living spaces. This guest post has lots of home storage tips on how to get it right!One of the most rewarding experiences is to watch your family grow. The problem with a growing family, however, is that sooner or later you're going to run out of space in your home. As a family grows, so does the ...
Maximising natural light with VELUX roof windows #ad
This post is part of a sponsored project for the BritMums #VELUXdaylight project, sponsored by VELUX.So, spring is officially here - hurrah!For me, this time of year goes hand-in-hand with an overwhelming urge to make the most of all that lovely daylight and fresh air that I’ve longed for during the winter months. Obviously you can do this by getting outdoors more; so far this month we’ve been busy tidying up the garden, ...