Smart Solutions to Make the Most of the Space You Have

One of the biggest complaints people have about their houses is that there’s not enough storage space. In fact, a lack of space is the number one reason people decide to purchase bigger homes.

But if buying a house isn’t in the cards for you right now, there are plenty of steps you can take to better utilize the space you do have.

Clean it out!

This may seem like a no-brainer, but the best way to create storage space is to get rid of things you don’t need. This is easier said than done for a lot of people. If you’re someone who likes to hold onto everything and has trouble deciding what to throw out, here are some helpful tips to clear out common household items.

• Clothes: A helpful trick for getting rid of unworn clothes is to hang everything in your closet backward, with the hanger hook facing toward, instead of away, from you. As you wear items throughout the year, hang them back up the correct way. At the end of a year, whatever is still facing backward should be given away. Additionally, you should clean out your drawers between seasons. If you haven’t worn an item for an entire season, chances are, you won’t wear it next year. Anything with unintentional holes or stains should be thrown out, and anything that Doesn’t fit should be donated or sold. A lot of people like to hold onto clothes that used to fit them with the hopes of losing weight in the future. If you truly don’t want to part with these items, consider boxing and putting them in the attic to make room in your drawers.

• Toys: If you have kids, you know how quickly toys can accumulate and take over your house. Plus, even if it isn’t consistently played with, it’s hard to convince a child they no longer need a particular toy. If something hasn’t been touched in a while, move it out of the room and into a temporary storage space. If it goes unmissed for a period of time, you can safely take it out of the house for good. You can also tell older children that you’re planning to give their toys to other children who need them — they should be old enough to understand this concept and may enthusiastically clear out other toys they no longer play with.
• Papers/Perishables: If you have piles of junk mail, letters home from school, old art projects, and grocery lists eating up room on your countertops, don’t worry — you’re not alone! In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s easy to let things pile up. Take time to go through those piles and get rid of what you don’t need. If you can’t part with some of these paper items, consider clearing out a drawer or investing in a filing cabinet to store them. You can also put especially keep-worthy school art projects inside a bin in your attic.
• Miscellaneous Junk: We all have infamous junk drawers in our houses. These drawers hold everything from old birthday candles, safety pins, and broken pens to ripped gloves and old pot-holders. Chances are, you could throw out everything in these drawers and never miss them.
  
  
  But they’re still worth going through a few times a year to make sure you aren’t missing anything important. Everything else can be thrown out or put into small containers/plastic bags and stacked back in the drawer to make room for other items you actually need.

Pack it away

The key here is to put away everything you’re not using during a particular time of year. For instance, winter jackets, snow boots, sleds, and snow blowers have no use taking up room in your closet or garage during the summer months.

Move these items to more permanent storage when they’re not being actively used. These are the best places to store items you’re not currently using:

• Attic: If you have attic space in your home, make sure you utilize it. Everything from winter jackets to holiday lights can be stored in the attic when they’re not being used.
• Under the bed: Putting clothes under your bed when they’re not being worn keeps them out of your way but close by in case you want to wear them.
• Shed: If you have a shed in your yard, you should store all outdoor/landscaping items in it, rather than in your garage. Garages can quickly become overcrowded if they accumulate too much.
• Storage unit: According to Cost Helper, the average storage unit costs $40-$50 per month for a 5-by-5-foot unit and $75-$140 per month for a 10-by-15-foot unit. If you can afford it, storage units are a great asset that can allow you to save space in your home.

Invest in Smart Storage

If you’re struggling to find space in your house, luckily, many options exist to organize and save room in the storage spaces you do have.

• Vacuum-sealed bags: These bags compress clothes, pillows, blankets, and other soft items to help them fit into tighter spaces. You can stack and store them away in closets or under beds and you have the added bonus of knowing your items will be protected from outside damage.
• Stackable storage bins: If you find you’re running out of space in drawers or closets, consider organizing your items into plastic bins. Unorganized messes can take up more space than clutter organized into containers.
• Shelving and cabinets: Adding closed or open shelving units throughout your home can take care of storage and also provide an attractive feature if used in the right way. But if you don’t want to add shelves into high-traffic areas, consider putting them in laundry rooms, garages, or other less-seen areas of your home.
• Hidden storage: You can add hidden storage spaces in numerous places in your home, including on staircases and inside furniture like coffee tables and ottomans.

Well Maintained Bright House with 6 Beds 3.5 Baths For Sale!

 

Welcome to the beautiful house with 6 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms with 2252 sq. ft. in sought after Renfrew is located on a quiet street, close to transit, shops, grocery stores, and schools Open and bright 3 bedrooms upstairs and 3 bedrooms downstairs. Single car detached garage.

Super features a wood-burning fireplace on the main floor. Possible Laneway house for this lot. Showing by appointments only.

Call/text Natalia Garbuzova at 778.317.6393, First Stay Realty Inc.

DO YOU WANT A PRIVATE OFFICE IN THE HEART OF DOWNTOWN VANCOUVER BUSINESS DISTRIC

 

Office at 515 West Pender, CONCRETE office building, the conference plaza! A 426 sq. ft of stylish office space with carpet floors and a large meeting room. Private and individually controlled air conditioning, heating, and electrical panel. Great for self-employed, professionals, new start-ups,  and more. Available for $2363/month with GST included. Month-to-month options available as well as long-term leases.

Nearby coffee shops include BLENZ COFFEE, Waves Coffee House, and Starbucks. Nearby restaurants include Subway, Manhattan Restaurant, and Spencer’s Lounge. 515 W Pender St is near Cathedral Square, Victory Square, and Discovery Square. Conveniently located near the Waterfront Skytrain which is easy for staff to commute on either of the Expo, Millennium, or Canada Skytrain lines.

Conference Plaza - Office Space in Downtown Vancouver + Parking: Lease

 

Your private, secure, workspace to maximize productivity is here. Get started today!

Location: 515 West Pender st @ Seymour St.

Conference Plaza Building 2nd Floor

Conference Plaza Is two blocks in either direction from Gastown, Waterfront and W Georgia surrounded by numerous amenities in the heart of Vancouver’s Central Business District with a short walk to the Granville, Waterfront, and Vancouver City Centre Skytrain Stations. The office space contains a spanning window, which opens, gaining plenty of natural light. Included within the rent is one underground parking stall with some consideration provided if the stall is not required by the Tenant. Carpets in corridors replaced in 2018. There is a rooftop patio available for office breaks away from the street.

Office for Lease at 515 W Pender St in Vancouver, BC, V6B 1V5. Nearby schools include Pera College, Utopia Academy and The Art Starts in School. The closest grocery stores are Al Madina General Store, Nesters Market and Nesters Market. Nearby coffee shops include BLENZ COFFEE, Waves Coffee House and Starbucks. Nearby restaurants include Subway, Manhattan Restaurant and Spencer’s Lounge. 515 W Pender St is near Cathedral Square, Victory Square and Discovery Square.

The office comes with a dedicated parking spot in the secured underground parkade and located at the alley of Richards or Seymour, between West Pender Street; close to Delta Hotel and Ramada Inn.

Available April 1st, 2021

Hot Listing! Spacious PH Loft 1 BED + HUGE DEN + ROOF DECK + 2 BALCONIES With Parking

 

Welcome to the 500 blocks of Beatty Street! carried out by famous architect Bruno Freschi. Small boutique building. Enter Spacious PH Heritage loft, one of Vancouver's original and finest warehouse conversions. Exposed brick, posts, and beams. To know more or to arrange a private viewing please visit https://firststaybc.com/properties/loft/furnished-first-heritage-loft-conversion-at-five-fifty-beatty-street-for-rent

1331 W Georgia St, Vancouver, BC V6E 4P1

 

Very well maintained this newly renovated fully furnished 1 bedroom condo at the Westcoast Pointe is the one for you.

This bright one-bedroom unit located in the best part of the beautiful building that is the Westcoast Pointe. Floor to ceiling windows in the LR, new flooring, and new countertops. For more details & booking visit First Stay Realty Inc.

Bathroom Upgrades with the Greatest ROI

If you’ve ever watched a show on HGTV, you know that two key areas of a home can make or break a home sale. I’m talking about kitchens and bathrooms. Today, I want to talk to you about the latter — and what you can do to spruce it up, whether you’re preparing your home for sale or simply want to improve your space.

Bathroom renovations typically have a high return on investment. HGTV estimates the ROI on bathroom renovation spending is 80-130%. According to the estimates provided by the National Association of Realtors®, a bathroom remodel can recoup 60% of the amount you’ve put into it.

So what are some things you can do to capitalize on this high-traffic space in your home?

While sinking $10,000 into average bathroom remodeling and $26,000 for more upscale renovations (the national averages according to Remodeling magazine) may seem like an extravagant expense, your bathroom greatly affects your home’s value.

An immaculate modern bathroom communicates consciously and subconsciously to the comfort, style, and value the rest of the home portrays. Nothing is more alienating to a prospective buyer than an outdated, dysfunctional bathroom, especially considering the high costs and headaches associated with water damage and mold growth.

The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) recommends having a six-month plan to ensure things go smoothly, as major bathroom renovations last between 2 and 3 months on average. Be forewarned: as with most renovation projects, bathroom costs and expectations can quickly get out of hand, especially when homeowners are eager to sell their homes. That said, let’s look at various aspects of the bathroom and see what types of renovations can add more value to your home.

• Bathtubs

Choosing the right bathtub for your master bathroom is worth some careful consideration. Some home buyers feel that a bathtub takes up too much space, while others make it a focal point of their relaxation. Some buyers prefer or need accessibility (i.e. mobility-impaired individuals), and for them, a bathtub may be a deal-breaker. For those that prefer elegance, a clawfoot tub may be appealing. Having a bathtub in one bathroom and a shower in a second is a solution to suit all needs. Ensure that any bathtub you select matches the overall theme of the room (for example, you would not install a Victorian claw-foot tub in a modern bath).

• Sinks and Countertops

One way to add value to your bathroom is to focus on the countertops and the sink. A popular trend is to invest in a stone countertop.

Typically, bathroom countertops tend to be smaller than kitchen countertops, so you can spend a significantly smaller amount of money and still get a desirable spa-like quality. One strategy for saving money and adding value is to purchase a slab that contains some imperfections. If you make sure that the imperfections are masked by the sink that will be placed in or on the stone surface, you get the best of both worlds without having to pay the higher price of a flawless slab. It also helps to think creatively.

One common trend for DIYers is to take an old dresser and mount a sink on the top like a pedestal or recess the sink on the top counter, creating an elegant solution. This is also useful if you’re struggling to find adequate cabinet space to fit the look of your bathroom.

Don’t forget to update the faucet, as well. Attractive metals like stainless steel or polished nickel can bring some extra “oomph” to your bathroom. However, be sure that the hardware matches the faucets, or your bathroom might have a hodge-podge feel that will ward off more finicky buyers. Finally, you can make your bathroom even more attractive to new couples by offering multiple sinks for his and hers.

• Cabinets & Storage

Bathrooms offer a challenge for homeowners in terms of storage. After installing a sink, bathtub, toilet, and shower, you still need to have somewhere to store hygiene items and towels. In addition, these storage solutions must be aesthetically pleasing, so it can be a balancing act to make sufficient space without making the room appear unattractive or overly utilitarian.

However, there are solutions to make the most of the available space:

• Vertical: Most bathrooms don’t utilize the upper wall space, leaving these spaces barren. To remedy this, try installing multi-tiered shelving units in strategic places, with towels within easy reach of the bath/shower. Alternatively, recessed alcoves between wall studs can create useful spaces for holding smaller items.
• Moveable: Using baskets or hampers for items can make the most of spaces where cabinets cannot fit. Be sure these moveable additions match the décor of the bathroom, even if they are not included with the sale of the house.

As for the cabinets, be sure that the materials are up to date and not reflective of short-lived trends, as these can work against a seller when they fall out of favor. Make sure the colors of cabinets are neutral and are made of moisture-resistant wood appropriate for the bathroom.

• Shower

An attractive and functional shower is a great way to attract homebuyers who may imagine luxurious and refreshing daily rituals when they purchase the home. Frameless glass shower enclosures enhance the spa-like feel of the atmosphere, match just about any color scheme, and are more appealing than flimsy plastic enclosures.

Don’t forget to consider who will be purchasing your home when renovating your shower. There are various options on the market, but it helps to update the showerheads in accordance with the type of home buyers you’d like to appeal to. For potential owners under 45, multiple showerheads are a go-to choice. For older home buyers, hand showers that can assist seated individuals may be best. Seating also plays a factor for the elderly and infirm, who prefer some resistance when showering and should have somewhere to sit for safety and health reasons.

• Tile

Bathroom tile can be one of the more expensive features to renovate, so it pays to be deliberate in your choices. One smart way to save money is to limit tile strategically, focusing only on a specific area of the floor instead of the entire floor (e.g. inside the shower stall). Another clever trick is to use the expensive tile as an accent, mixing it in with less-expensive tile to save money, but also highlight the costlier tile with contrast. Because of the cost, you may want to align your renovations in accordance with the tile’s color and attributes. While installing a heated bathroom floor is a nice touch, it will not return a reasonable ROI, and tearing up your floor can be needlessly expensive and time-consuming.

• Bathroom Ventilation

There’s more to remodeling your bathroom than meets the eye. While it may be nice to have a window to open after a steamy shower, this is an old solution. The focus on modernity is automation and efficiency. If your bathroom does not have a modern ventilation system, consider installing one as a top priority.

Moisture from excess humidity fogs mirrors makes the floor especially slippery and creates a breeding ground for mildew and mold. Having moisture under control is vital to ensure that not only are the physical hazards minimized (e.g. slipping on a wet tile), but also the quality of the air and the damage that can result from mold and rot. Make sure that the ventilation system exhausts air to the outside of the home, not the space between the joists of the ceiling, attic, or other interior space.

Consider ventilation systems on the market that contain features such as quiet exhaust fans and humidity-sensitive switches that automatically activate when moisture build-up in the air reaches a certain threshold.

• Lighting

One way to spruce up your bathroom at a fraction of the cost of more labor-intensive renovations is to look at how your bathroom is lit. Lighting around your vanity mirrors can bring a luxurious feel to everyday grooming.

Adjustable lighting for soaking in the tub can create a relaxing atmosphere in the bathroom, as well. Some light fixtures offer heat lamps that can create a mini-sauna for the bathroom that works in conjunction with your ventilation systems.

As a rule, eliminating dark spaces and inadequate lighting adds value for potential home buyers.

• Paint

Like lighting, one of the more inexpensive and effective ways to spruce up your bathroom is to invest in a few cans of fresh paint. Pay careful attention to how you paint if you choose to go DIY, however; attention to detail is critical, and a few blobs of paint on the tub, sink, and so forth can undermine the improvements you’ve made. Also be sure to find high-quality, mold-resistant paint that can ward off mold growth, and don’t forget to paint the ceiling, where hard-to-clean surfaces can be breeding grounds for mold and mildew.

• Update the Fixtures

The little details do matter, especially under the scrutiny of those who view your home with an eye to buying it. This includes the light fixtures, doorknobs, towel racks, cabinet handles, and so forth, all of which can rust and degrade from constant use and moist atmosphere.

• Caulk and Grout

Like a fresh coat of paint, paying attention to the fine details can bring a new look to your bathroom at a minimal cost. Cleaning grout may be tedious, but restoring its original hue can make the surrounding elements “pop.” The same goes for caulk — a tube of caulk is inexpensive. A fresh application of caulk, especially clear or matching-white colors, not only brings out the other elements but also prevents moisture from eroding the structure of the bathroom.

• Going Green

No, we’re not talking about painting everything in your bathroom green, not unless you really want to. We’re talking about the trend of making your bathroom more environmentally sound. More and more home buyers are looking to find homes that feature ethically-sourced materials and conserve resources (e.g. water, power).

These include:

• Low-flow sinks, toilets, and showerheads. They can typically be found for the same cost or even for less than traditional models.
• Automatic light switches. Some models adjust the amount of light based on the amount of daylight or if there’s an occupant in the room. Great for forgetful people!
• Purchasing used or repurposed materials. Nothing is greener than recycling old materials, like a vintage clawfoot bathtub, as you reduce consumption. Thrift stores often have an assortment of used/reclaimed furnishings that not only have a vintage appeal but are also sold well below the price point of similar types of fixtures bought new.