 The topic of sleep has been a more popular one in the media as of late. The lack of sleep causes people to become more stressed out, overwhelmed and tired as - I thought that was my kids fault!
From a business point of view, this will undoubtedly result in lower productivity as well. Nevermind risking one’s health and eventually becoming sick! All of this points to the importance of getting a decent night’s rest. Besides a number of other elements (i.e. alcoholic consumption, caffeine intake, nocturnal activities etc), you might wonder whether the colour of your bedroom can affect your sleep. As it turns out, it sure can! A recent study by Travelodge covered the effectiveness of colour in a bedroom and how people might react to different colours. The results turned out to be quite interesting! Do you have any idea which colours would benefit, or harm, your sleeping activity in the bedroom? Let’s get started and see the impact: Going Blue, Yellow or Green for Better Rest If you think ‘blue’, you think ‘peace and relaxation’, and you’re right! It’s the colour of the bedroom that actually helps people sleep the best (and most in hours). To be exact, blue bedrooms tend to provide people with 8 hours of sleep, compared to some of the other colours. Furthermore, using blue was also linked to lower blood pressure and heart rate, which may explain the longer amounts of sleep. Similarly, yellow and green are the next couple of colours in line causing a good night’s rest, where yellow (the muted kind, not fluorescent!) calms the body and the mind like green. Overall, these above mentioned colours turn out to create a safe and sleep-secure environment. Next up is the orange colour – mostly known for its warmth – which provides people 7.5 hours of sleep. Once you head into the more red and gold-coloured rooms, you’re looking at sleeping slightly below 7 hours. But, venture into the grey and browns and you’ll see a drastic drop in sleep hours. Specifically, those types of rooms will see figures around 6 hours of sleep. Silver Surprises Us! We may have judged the silver colour differently, studies seem to show this colour to have a rather calming effect on sleeping patterns, resulting in 7.5 hours of sleep per night. Would the fact that silver creates the illusion of moonlight have anything to do with it? Then again, let’s not get too excited: silver is also the colour that gets the highest number of people to work out in the morning! Closing thoughts… On the other side of the colour study, anyone sleeping with purple-ish colours will have trouble relaxing, as the brain continues to work, hence lowering the amount of sleep per night (under 6 hours to be exact). In other words, stay away from purple in your bedroom! Ultimately, as statistics have now proven, the colour of your bedroom can affect your sleep! And indirectly, your stress levels! Next time you decide to renovate the bedroom (or re-paint it), make sure to keep this article in mind (before you start!), or you might be thinking of it while counting the sheep, just not purple ones! Cheers, Paul
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 The backyard is your very own piece of nature. It can be a space to come together as a family, unwind after a long day and can mean hours of wholesome fun.
However, this isn’t always the case. If you and your little ones are spending less and less time enjoying your outdoor living space, then it might be time for a spruce up. Designing a family-friendly backyard may seem daunting at first, so we’ve handpicked our favourite ideas. These design ideas are sure to transform any yard into the outdoor space your family has always dreamed of: 1 – Maximise Space Whether you’ve got a tiny patio or a massive lawn, making the most of the space you’ve got is an absolute must. Nobody likes a cluttered backyard. Littered tools and things left out can completely ruin your outdoor aesthetic, plus with kids running around it can be a recipe for disaster. Avoid an accident waiting to happen and get hooked-up. Whether it’s in a shed or on a fence hook up your tools and keep that precious ground space for what matters. 2 – Give Everyone Their Own Space Tensions arise from people simply wanting different things. Your little ones want to play and run around, while others may want to sit and relax. Make sure everyone has their own space, and one doesn’t spill into the other. Setting up a corner of your backyard just for your kids is also a great way to make your yard more family-friendly. Giving a child their own space, be it a treehouse, sandpit or even a swing means hours of fun and can do wonders for your child’s development. Setting up a seating area overlooking the play area is a great way to allow yourself to relax with an eye on the little one whenever it is needed. 3 – Get Back to Nature Help create that natural aesthetic that you’ve always wanted for your yard and keep the family happy at the same time. Why not try to incorporate natural elements into your structures? Consider building a sandpit using logs as borders. Using a tree for a swing, rather than a swing set, is another great way to bolster your natural look. Plus, as a bonus, it’s much easier to take down when it’s no longer needed. And if you want to have a trampoline without ruining your natural aesthetic, consider digging down, so that it’s flush with the ground. Your new tramp will look great and can even be safer when done correctly. 4 – Create a Family Garden Growing your own food can be a great family bonding experience. Have you ever thought of this option? Getting the little ones involved can teach them valuable skills and can be amazing for their developing minds. Plus, gardening is an opportunity to teach our kids where their food comes from. As an added bonus, gardening can help them to get excited about vegetables. A family garden doesn’t necessarily require room enough for a whole garden or veggie patch. Getting started can be as easy as having an assortment of planters on your deck or patio. Start off planting something you know you’re children enjoy. Strawberries, for instance, are tasty and easy to grow, same with snow peas. If you get started now on your family garden, then your only problem will be sneaky little fingers eating all your fruits and veggies. Bottom line: no one wants to be stuck inside all the time, yet with cluttered backyards and a lack of fun activities for the kids, it’s all too easy to end up inside. Break the trend, start a conversation in your family and dream up your perfect outdoor living space. Start now, and the backyard of your dreams will be closer than ever! I’m here to help. So if you’re thinking of selling your home, I have a real passion for selling Real Estate, as well as marketing & coffee! I’d love to share my expertise! Get in touch any time - 021 606 460 or [email protected] Cheers, Paul  Our home is the only piece of this earth that we can say it belongs to us.
It is our stress-free zone, our oasis, our getaway when we need to run away from the world. If we still don’t feel like it is completely an oasis of calm, there are certain things that can fix this vibe: 1 – Improve the energy flow of the entire space Your place should inspire you to be positive, calm and centered. If the entire space is cluttered, the energy won’t flow through easily. Thus, you won’t be inspired to create, feel positive emotions or even reduce stress. Try to determine the flow of energy and remove objects that might be blocking it. According to Feng Shui, the energy enters through the door and moves through windows and other doors in your home. Remove anything that might be blocking it. Also, for the sake of your mental health declutter your space and keep it clutter-free. 2 – Let fresh flowers bring the outside in You can’t create the ‘om’ vibes within your home without plants and fresh flowers. Green colour has a calming effect because we associate it with nature, life and living healthy. Introduce at least two potted plants into every room including the bathroom. Snake plants, Aloe Vera, Succulents, Rubber Plant or a Ficus can easily elevate the air quality and remove toxins. Position them strategically around your home to improve the general vibe of your home. Fresh flowers are also known to instantly beautify a place and create a calm and serene vibe. 3 – Mirrors create a sense of harmony Mirrors are an essential element of Zen decor because they reflect and direct energy through your home. The easiest trick to make any room larger is to place a mirror opposite a window. Besides this, you can use mirrors as decorative pieces and create a sense of harmony. You can put one full-length mirror in the living room and position a potted plant on both sides of it. You can also position a mirror across from a piece of art and create a reflection of it across the room. 4 – Bright details everywhere Dark colours are often considered as gloomy and these do not contribute to the overall Zen-vibe of the place. Instead, go for bright colours, beige colours combined with earthy details. Bright hues can make any room look larger, calmer and brighter. Also, neutral colours are the perfect base because you can easily elevate the decor with bright coloured details and still maintain the serene vibe. For example, you can paint the walls white or champagne colour and easily elevate the entire colour scheme with pastel furniture. Play with shades until you find the right colour scheme that makes you feel calm. 5 – Zen-inspired elements Nothing sends more of the Zen-vibe like the right details. You can decorate your reading nook with a Budha statue. It serves to balance out the yin-yang energy within your home. Put it on a coffee table next to your bookshelf, or make it a centerpiece by placing it between your books. You can also incorporate a singing bowl into your decor as well. These are used to relieve stress and you should find a perfect place for it to enhance the om vibe. The living room coffee table is an ideal place to position some crystals. You can easily incorporate them into your decor by placing them on a table. Selenite and Apophyllite can enhance those feel-good vibes of a living room. Amethyst and Selenite belong to the bedroom because these crystals cleanse the area and promote a sense of calm by reducing stress. 6 – Your own meditation nook Dedicate a space within your home for peaceful meditation. It can be a corner or an entire room designed to give you the space you need to relax. If it’s just a corner, decorate it with a few comfy pillows you can sit on. Make sure you have a side table near to put scented candles and incense on it. If you have an entire room at your disposal, you can take it up a notch and turn it into a true zen oasis. Incorporate a magnificent massage chair into your meditation area and ease your muscles while you meditate. 7 – Preserve the source of natural light Don’t cover up your windows with anything that might reduce the amount of natural light. A bright room can help you maintain your focus and elevate your energy levels. It also helps reduce the amount of stress and decreases anxiety. It is also needed to maintain a sense of inner calm. Your plants also need a lot of natural sunlight so use something like translucent window blinds. These won’t block out sunlight completely and still make your room look bright and full of life. 8 – Improve the overall vibe with natural scents Aromatherapy is a powerful tool against stress, a bad mood, and bad vibes. Powerful scents can stimulate your senses and get your creative juices flowing. Who doesn’t like to spend their time in a room that calms them down and feels like a rose blossoming? By diffusing scents like sweet orange, bergamot, lemon, or lemongrass you make the room smell fresh and clean. It will also create some happy and healing vibes. Now that you know how to ‘om’ your place, it’s time to get started with the transformation process. Follow these above-mentioned tips and turn your space into your own peaceful oasis. Just chill… I’m here to help. So if you’re thinking of selling your home, I have a real passion for selling Real Estate, as well as marketing & coffee! I’d love to share my expertise! Get in touch any time - 021 606 460 or [email protected] Cheers, Paul Which Home Renovations to Do, and How to Get Them Done Properly for your Whangarei property.5/3/2020 You’ve just decided to sell your home — and now you’re thinking of what you can do to increase your home’s value before putting it on the market. To avoid making costly mistakes, it’s important to know which home improvement projects can actually add value to your home and raise your asking price. Whether you’ll be focusing on attracting first-time homebuyers or luxury homebuyers, consider the following five key renovations (plus a bonus tip!) to increase your home’s value. 1. Spice Up the Kitchen Is your kitchen completely functional and ready to use right away? Homebuyers will be drawn to your property if the kitchen is up-to-date and in good condition, allowing the next homeowners to prepare meals worry-free immediately after moving in. You don’t necessarily have to splurge on your kitchen upgrade. Focus on doing critical minor repairs, such as upgrading your kitchen tapware or updating a stained countertop. Change cabinet hardware and paint, and breathe life to the room by replacing the curtains. If your kitchen appliances are seriously outdated and your budget allows, you may want to invest in stainless steel-finished appliances for a modern, high-end vibe. 2. Renew the Bathroom/s A clean, tidy and refreshing bathroom increases the appeal of your home. Give it a makeover by mounting a new mirror, enhancing the lighting, changing the shower curtain (if you have one) and adding decorative accents — and choose matching designs and finishes for a well-coordinated look. Additionally, consider installing a water-efficient toilet, corrosion-resistant taps and granite or stone top. If you want durable but affordable flooring, vinyl floors are a smart choice. 3. Paint the Walls With Neutral Colours A new coat of paint can do wonders in reviving walls and livening up your home overall. Repaint only where necessary rather than repaint the entire house — and be sure to choose a paint that effectively hides the old one. The bath, kitchen and any boldly coloured walls are key areas that usually need repainting. Select neutral palettes instead of bold colours, as homebuyers have varying tastes and preferences. Neutral colours are easier to work with when personalizing the home interior. Allow homebuyers to envision themselves living in your home, and don’t put them off with brightly painted walls. 4. Improve Curb Appeal Your chances of making a great first impression are much higher when your home exterior looks presentable and inviting. Transform the look of your house from the outside by repainting the front door, trimming overgrown bushes and displaying beautiful potted plants. The roof is also often an area that gets overlooked by sellers, so make sure you check yours out. 5. Make Your Home Energy-Efficient Your home’s energy efficiency can be a major factor affecting the purchase decision of potential homebuyers. To cut your utility bills, ensure your home is well-insulated and the water heater is operating efficiently. For your home lighting, LED lights are an excellent option as they are power-efficient and long-lasting. Adding in some smart home technology can really help boost your appeal to potential homebuyers as well. 6. Remove Overly Personal Elements - bonus tip Is one of the bedrooms embellished with a lot of posters or bold wallpaper? Or perhaps a large photo gallery of your family still hangs along the staircase. Whatever it is, make sure to get rid of personal decor elements that catch attention for the wrong reasons. It’s best to strike a balance between making your home look move-in ready and enough of a blank slate to make customizing it easy. After sprucing up your home, you’d want to set the best price possible to entice homebuyers and recuperate your investment. Online real estate marketplaces like OneRoof and QV.co.nz can be helpful when initially getting home value estimates and gaining some insight on trending prices. Nonetheless, hiring a professional real estate professional is still crucial to have your home appraised properly, determine its exact worth and price it wisely. When you take time to improve your home and get help from a trusted advisor, you’ll be able to speed up the sale of your property and come out ahead. Get in touch if you’d like to talk about anything do to with your property, or future plans. I’m here to help. So if you’re thinking of selling your home, I have a real passion for selling Real Estate, as well as marketing & coffee! I’d love to share my expertise! Any time, get me on - 021 606 460 or [email protected] Cheers, Paul |
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