How about a beautiful, strong, intelligent and independent woman tackling that hole in the wall, or installing new faucets, or unclogging the toilet! That’s right. We’re celebrating all of those handy Miss or Mrs Fix-its this International Women’s Day (March 8).

We raise our glass of wine (or beer) to you! Whether you’re married, common law, single or whatever else! We applaud you and your efforts to take on the project yourself. Whatever it may be.

Thing is, we should all be able to tackle certain at-home projects, and yes, some we should leave to the professionals. But before we get into those, let’s take a peek into the toolbox to make sure we all have the essentials.

Homeowner’s toolbox necessities

• Hammer
• Rubber mallet
• Screwdriver set
• Measuring tape
• Stud finder
• Duct tape
• Utility knife/box cutter
• Pliers set
• Wrench set
• Adjustable wrench
• Level
• Wire stripper
• Hand saw
• Electric drill and bits
• Extension cords
• Electrical tape
• Plumber tape
• Caulking gun
• Zip ties
• Volt/Ohmmeter
• Safety glasses, gloves, respirator
• Flashlight

Now that we have tackled the essentials you’ll need kicking around to take care of minor fix-ups in your home, let’s talk a bit about the things you can do solo, and the things you should be leaving to the experts.

Swapping out a light fixture is an easy enough task for the ambitious DIYer, but please leave the actual wiring to the professional and licensed electricians. Yes, they’re more costly, but they have undergone years of training to gain their expertise and the outcome of their work will (most likely) not cause any further damages, or, worst case scenario, start an electrical fire that could burn your whole house down!

Too often, homeowners brave the breaker box and circuitry in hopes of saving a buck, but wires are easily crossed if you don’t have the know-how — and unfortunately, Grade 6 science doesn’t quite cover the basis in its electricity unit to help you rewire your home.

Frank Cohn, owner of Cohn Construction and host of the Home Improvement Show on Toronto’s NEWSTALK 1010 says electrical work is his No. 1 job that should be left to the professionals.

“I’ve seen too many electrical jobs where people have done it themselves, or had a brother or an uncle do the wiring, and a lot of these people are lucky they’re alive to tell their tale because I find all sorts of buried wires or things wired improperly. It’s so dangerous. I just can’t stress that enough,” he told Discover. 

The same can be said for major renovations, especially finishing the basement. Unless you have enlisted the help from professional contractors (that may also be in your friend circle), you should leave most of the major renos to the pros.

Often, things such as fire-blocking or vapour barriers can be overlooked in the planning and execution phases of these solo-embarked endeavours, experts say.

Once the base work is complete, you can certainly take over and finish with drywalling, painting and decorating, but like electrical work, leave the major design work to the professionals who know exactly what to look for.

The price to pay for mistakes made during these homemade renovations can cost tens of thousands of dollars, Discover says, so you might as well pay a smaller amount up front and get the job done right.

Next up is — you guessed it — plumbing. The water version of electricity. Go ahead, snake your drain, unclog your pipes, replace the toilet, even, but save yourself the trouble and potential (major) costs associated with mistakes and hire a professional for the bigger jobs. First of all, not many of us want to be stuck with the gross aftermath of a DIY plumbing job gone wrong… am I right? Yuck.

The need to knows

• Familiarizing yourself with the flush valve assembly will save you bundles if you encounter a running toilet. You can make the fix yourself, without a plumber and without the cost of a run-up water bill.

• Snaking the drain, or unclogging a sink is another must-know at-home fix-it. HGTV suggests avoiding harsh chemicals until you try using a small plunger and drain snake to fix the problem mechanically. The mechanical fixes will definitely clear up the problem, while the chemicals slow the deterioration.

• Seal doorways and windows with weatherstripping to keep the heat you are paying for inside the home, and the cold winters outside. Installing weatherstripping is an easy and sure-fire way to keep those energy bills low and the home efficient.

• Patching holes in drywall. Drywall is everywhere in the home and unfortunately, it can be super vulneable to the hard-knocks life brings. But, it’s an easy fix that will save you a bundle if you learn  how to DIY it. Fill small holes with a filler, or use a screen to cover up more significant knocks. Just be sure to check for electrical wires and pipes before cutting in — if necessary.

• Changing air filters on your HVAC system is a necessary skill that any homeowner should have. This easy fix will prolong the life of our system and it won’t go unnoticed in your home’s air quality. Be sure to always refer to your owners maunal to ensure you have the right parts.

Now with an aresenal of Miss fix-it tools and skills, we are set to take on anything our home can challenge us with. Plus, we know when we’re in over our heads, we should call the professionals and leave the more expert-level things to, well, the experts!

To all of the independent women out there, or to the ladies (myself included) with a partner who isn’t so much of a “handy-man,” happy International Women’s Day. You are all tough, brilliant, talented and beautiful and you are capable of anything you set your mind to!

Now raise your hammers high and get to fixing!

The post Mrs. Fix-it: DIY solutions for home improvements first appeared on RankMyAgent - Trusted resource about Buying, Selling and Renting.

But, I also understand that living in a place with little natural light can be had to deal with. Little natural light leads to lowered mood levels and productivity. That’s why we find ourselves drawn to those bright and airy rooms — they make us feel awake, vibrant and happy. Gotta love that vitamin D!

In my time, I’ve lived in numerous basement suites and small apartments with only one window. So, without tooting my own horn, I’m kind of a pro at managing the little light I have to illuminate my space. Fake it until you make it, right!

Mirrors are your best friend

Hit up that awesome vintage store you’ve been eyeing on Instagram. Pick out a delicious large mirror in a gorgeous frame, and hang it in your dark space to bounce that natural sunlight around.

Similar to those projectors we used in grade school to study the sky, grab two mirrors! The second mirror can help bounce some of the rays collected in the first. Like actor Terry Crews so eloquently said in those Old Spice commercials “Double sun power!”

You can even find mirrors that are made to look like windows. These are so cute. There are even options that are sold with shutters.

Not your thing?

It’s a good thing metallic decor is in! These achieve the same result, although, on a much smaller scale.

Silver vases, rose gold trinkets, or little gold geometric fox sculptures — whatever it is you fancy, you can use these shiny objects in a display on a central table, or mantelpiece to help bounce some of those luxurious rays around any room.

Ditch those heavy window treatments

I know thick, heavy window treatments are nice to look at. They just ooze sophistication. But, they often come in darker colours or are treated to keep rooms temperature-controlled. This means they are double-panelled and absorb the little light we have to work with.

Instead, choose something light, airy, and translucent. Not only do these treatments allow all of the natural light to pour in without jeopardizing privacy, but they also create a romantic, sort of exotic atmosphere.

Invite more light in

Windowed doors are something I’ve been seeing more and more in decorating and home design magazines.

Frosted windows in doors allow a room with a large window allow the natural light to pour through into the next room creating a nice flow.

Front doors with windows are popping up more and more in neighbourhoods. The doors typically boast frosted glass, once again, to maintain privacy. But, do opt for a double-layered glass to boost security.

See-through furniture is key

Another hack to continue the flow of natural light through any space is to use glass furniture throughout.

Whether it’s an end table or coffee table, glass furniture will allow light to continue on its journey throughout your home rather than stopping it abruptly in its tracks like thick wood furniture, or darker, heavier pieces.

Consider colour

Those darker rooms don’t need any more help, so avoid dark palettes and keep to airy whites, greys, and lighter shades.

Not only will this help illuminate the space, but it will also make the room look more spacious. And, this tip won’t hit you where it hurts — the wallet.

Principal of the daylighting consulting firm, Tanteri & Associates, told the New York Times that light colours used on floors, ceilings and walls can really optimize natural light in the space.

“You want to maximize the amount of time that daylight bounces inside the room,” Matthew Tanteri said, adding glossy paint should be avoided as it can create a targeted glare.

“The safest finishes are matte finishes, because they reflect light in all directions.”

Use the power

Don’t be afraid to plug in some cute lamps and install light fixtures to be used during the daytime to complement that natural light. I know it seems like it may be cheating, but it’s a cost-effective fix adds mood and atmosphere to any space.

Target lighting is something you could consider when you look to update your space. Do you only use your dinner table for eating? Maybe add some hanging light fixtures that illuminate that area.

Even a simple row of LED stripping can really boost the light in any space for next to nothing. Use it under cabinets to add light to darker countertops, or on bookshelves to showcase some of your favourite titles.

Watch where you step

The floor is an excellent, and oft-forgotten part of a home that can be taken advantage of in this exact situation!

Do you have dark flooring, whether it’s wood or tile? Throw down a large light-coloured area rug. By using something cream, light grey or white (eek, dangerous!), you can use the floor to help bounce around some of those precious rays of light.

Greenery is good

Not all plants need a lot of sunlight, but most plants will make our brains think of sunlight which in turn will add some psychological sun to the party.

This one is definitely a cheat, but who doesn’t love having a space loaded with plants and flowers!

Opt for some Dracaena or Maidenhair Fern, even Peace Lilies don’t need too much light, but they will help bolster morale on those darker days.

Clean your windows

I know, I know. This one seems obvious. But, it’s amazing the difference it makes. When your windows are sparkling clean, the light just floods through completely unadulterated.

Make this chore a part of your spring cleaning to-do list. And maybe hit it again in fall after all of those summer rainstorms that left undesirable streaks all over your windows.

Adding natural light, or utilizing the little that you do have doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, but if you really want to go big, you can always get a skylight!

The post Reflecting on Natural Light: Brightening up Dark Spaces first appeared on RankMyAgent - Trusted resource about Buying, Selling and Renting.

But, there’s good reason: bathrooms have become our personal spas and beauty salons. I spend a lot of time in the washroom! I enjoy taking long soaks in the tub — using all of those fancy bath products typically gifted around the holiday season. And I enjoy playing with makeup — also gifted — and hair products.

If I were to add it up, I’d say I typically spend at least 40 minutes a day in my bathroom. I take my sweet time getting ready for work in the morning. Mostly because I’m fighting with my winged eyeliner to ensure it matches (I know, I know — sisters not twins). But! Because I spend a lot of my time in there, is it so much to ask for a nice space?

Going out to local bars and restaurants you can see that bathroom trends have changed a lot over the years. And 2019’s bathroom trends are no exception.

You will see a lot of new styles hitting these throne rooms come the new year. Anything from vintage vanities and mirrors to bathrooms that look like you walked onto the set of Netflix’s Black Mirror.

Here are a few trends you can look forward to next year:

It’s all in the details

Mike Docherty from The Royal Flush Boutique, a decorative plumbing and hardware store in Calgary’s Mission neighbourhood says one of the most notable trends is special finishes on fixtures.

“Particularly matte black and brushed gold,” he says. “This straying off the beaten path of polished chrome and brushed nickel has really changed the designs of the new products that have come out this year.”

He noted this particular trend has moved the finished look away from the crisp stylings and toward the “industrial chic look that has really taken the kitchen and bath industry by storm.”

“It seems like every fashion-forward manufacturer has a new line that has that raw exposed pipe look with knurling on the handles,” Mike says.

Keep your eye on producers such as Watermark Designs, Crosswater London, Samuel Health, California Faucets and Brizo, Mike added.

Vintage is king 

Vintage items have always been sought after. There is something about a classic timepiece that is just transformative. Perhaps it is because it makes us think of simpler times, or maybe it pulls at our fascination for the old-school glitzy Hollywood era. Or, perhaps, we just enjoy rooting around at garage and estate sales or hitting the local thrift shop. It’s like treasure hunting.

Well, now, you’ll find a lot of these treasures featured in water closets.

Old dressers are being reimagined as vanities. Vintage sinks are being cleaned, revamped and reinstalled in modern bathrooms. Gold and copper plumbing is being left exposed and clawfoot tubs have made a comeback as a nod to bathrooms of yesteryear.

My personal favourite vintage bathroom motif is adding in those classic tiles boasting geometric patterns. I find they can really tie a room together — even with more modern vanities and accessories, the tiles alone can transport you to another time.

Mixing old with new is also a popular fashion choice, so don’t be afraid to flip the calendar forward while designing your new space.

Cabin chic to escape and relax

Adding wood elements throughout your personal haven is a great idea if you are chasing that relaxing oasis style.

Imagine a crisp winter white bathroom adorned with pop colour accessories and a wooden feature wall. Tie in additional wooden accessories to nod to the feature wall like toothbrush holders, baskets or even the mirror frame. Add some greenery to really bring nature into the space.

Now, take a deep breath, add in that bath bomb you’ve been waiting so long to use and relax.

Sounds pretty good, huh?

Reclaimed wood is a perfect option for attaining this type of design. That old barn wood being upcycled is not only great for the environment but because the wood has been exposed to the elements, it is more likely to withstand the high-humidity without warping as it has been completely dried out.

Also, it adds an instantaneous-snap-of-your-fingers farmhouse style to your space.

High-tech space age

Technology is all around us. It is in every room in the house. So, you best believe it when I say it’s a-OK to bring that tech into the bathroom as well!

Whether you add LED backlighting to your mirror, or you program your voice-activated Alexa or Echo to dim the lighting before you enter, you can have technology working for you to create that spa space that is so desired.

Smart mirrors are an option to bring your bathroom into the digital era. Not only do these mirrors offer a backlight, but they often have stereo speakers and a heating component which means no more foggy mirrors post steamy showers. And, they are becoming a viable place to get the news with their tech displays that cover headlines through to weather forecasts and traffic.

How about towel heaters, or digital showers that can be controlled by your smartphone to ensure consistent temperatures and settings. Finally, the perfect shower can be had time and time again without dipping your toes in first!

These high-tech aspects are also very stylish. They come in a variety of designs from sleek to cyborg, so you can get as technical, or go as rustic as you want with your design.

Simple storage is in

Say good riddance to all of the bathroom clutter that seems to grow and grow and go untouched for years. Bathrooms, like the rest of our lives, are becoming more streamlined. This means ditching the clutter and embrace the minimalist methods in the water closet.

Add a floating shelf to the space to showcase some of your stylish and functional bathroom trinkets; that unique perfume bottle, those cute jars that store your cotton rounds, you know? Try some lower enclosed racks under the sink for those daily use products.

You create an open space by reducing the number of cabinets and storage units in a space. Aim for simple and small. Cater to those necessities to de-clutter while creating a relaxing environment.

Bathroom trends change every year and you really just have to find what works for you and your space. The best part about these trends I’ve talked about is that they can all be pieced together and incorporated in the same space if you’d like.

Bonus trend from the pros

The Royal Flush Boutique’s Mike Docherty says another thing to consider for a stylish powder room is an undermounted sink.

Undermounted sinks allow some of that desirable industrial piping to be exposed in a unique fashion.

Mike says Native Trails, Vitraform and Link A Sink have an excellent variety to choose from.

Remember, to update your bathroom space, you don’t need to do a complete overhaul either. Often times a coat of a paint or a new bathroom mirror or faucet can give the entire room a facelift without breaking the bank.

“All in all, it’s been a very interesting year for the kitchen and bath industry with so many sweeping changes,” Mike says. “But, that’s what makes it so exciting.”

The post Bathroom Trends to Look Forward to in 2019 first appeared on RankMyAgent - Trusted resource about Buying, Selling and Renting.