Author: Julie Copithorne

As the leaves change and the days get shorter, we know that cooler temperatures are on the horizon!

While the cooler weather is a nice change to the hot humid days of summer, the transition can be hard on your home. There is more to think about than switching off your AC and turning on your heat. To help you prepare, here are a few home projects to complete this fall.

Entry way

It’s time to dig out your boots, coats, scarfs, gloves and hats! Although these items can be great for fashion, they can be a bit of an eye sore in our entry ways. Start by putting away all your summer gear to make more room for bulky items. Stay organized and minimize clutter by adding extra hooks and storage bins to separate your essentials and save time when leaving your house. Foot mats are also great to contain dirt and eliminate wet floors!

Garage Maintenance

There’s nothing better than getting into a warm car free from snow and frost during the cold winter months. The best way to make room for your car and other winter tools is to do a little fall maintenance. Start by hanging up your bikes and setting aside your lawn mower. Make sure your snow blower, shovels, holiday decorations and other necessities like windshield wiper fluid are easily accessible. Do your due diligence and check the condition of your winter supplies. The last thing you want is to realize you need to replace a broken shovel after a big snow storm!

Garden and Lawn

Growing season has come to an end but that doesn’t mean your garden and lawn can be left alone until next year. There is some preparation you should do to ensure your yard thrives come spring. If you have a vegetable garden, gather all your herbs and veggies as they will be great for soups and hearty meals! Don’t forget to pull up any weeds to save you some much needed time in the New Year. When it comes to your lawn, short grass can be susceptible to damage during cold temperatures. Make sure to trim your lawn but leave 2- 1/2 inches of height as well as fertilizer for protection.

Doors and Windows

A lot of air can escape or enter a home if your doors and windows aren’t properly sealed. This can be very costly on your monthly utility bills! Take a few minutes to check the weather stripping around your windows and doors to ensure there aren’t any gaps between the fixture and the frame. Thick curtains are another great insulation tool and will act as a great décor element in your home.

Home Décor

Last but not least pull out your favourite cozy blankets, change your bed sheets and add some festive fall décor! It can be easy, affordable and fun to make small seasonal changes around the house. You will be surprised at how new throws or pillows can really change the look and feel of a space.

June, July and August are the busiest months for moving.

If you plan to move during peak season, start looking for your mover as soon as possible. It is recommended that you book your move 4-6 weeks in advance to make sure the date you want is available. Once your date is determined you can start to prepare for the big day. Below are some great tips to help you beat the heat and stay organized during your summer move.

Set Up Utilities

With everything going on during a move, arranging for the utilities to be set up in your new home may be one of the last things on your mind. But this is an essential step in the pre-move process. During peak moving season, it can take up to 2-3 weeks to schedule a date for these arrangements. The last thing you want to worry about is moving in without lights, air conditioning or running water! Make sure to give your local utilities provider a call well in advance to avoid these conditions.

Schedule to Start Early Morning

One of our best tips to combat the summer heat during your move is to start as early in the day as possible. The hottest time of day is usually around early to mid-afternoon which can fluctuate depending on where you live. It can be very challenging to move in such high temperatures as your body exhausts more energy than usual. Talk to your movers to arrange for an early morning start; that way you can get ahead of the heat. If you don’t have a lot to move, starting later in the afternoon may be a good option as well.

Prepare Yourself for the Heat

Being outdoors on a hot summer day requires some preparation regardless of whether you are lounging or being active. Moving is an exhausting task on its own not to mention adding heat to the mixture. One of the best heat safety tips to stay protected during hot weather is to drink lots of fluids. Carry a water bottle with you or have a case of water nearby to consistently hydrate your body throughout the day. Another important tip when moving in the summer is to wear light fabrics. Avoid dark colours that easily absorb heat and make sure you are comfortable in loose fitting clothes. Last but not least, wear your sunscreen! Even if you are not directly in the sun all day, your skin will still likely be exposed at some point.

Preparing for your summer move with the tips above will help you beat the heat, stay organized, and set your move up for success.

Taking on a home renovation is a huge task on its own, not to mention the extensive cost associated with it.

If you are looking for a more affordable solution to change up the look and feel of your home, adding a fresh coat of paint will do the trick! For a quick and simple update, painting your walls alone will make a huge difference. If you are looking to go beyond the walls and add a little more dimension, here are 4 great painting options to consider for your next DIY or professional project:

Painting kitchen cabinets

One of the main elements to every kitchen is the cabinets. Cabinets are not only great for storage they are also used as a focal design feature to bring the entire space together. Experts say that before finalizing your wall colour you should first decide on the colour of your cabinets. Painting your cabinets is a great way to freshen up a kitchen that is outdated or maybe just not your style. When it comes to paint colours, white is the new black! The best part about white cabinets is that they are so versatile you can always change the accent colours. White also gives the illusion of a bright and light space. Does your kitchen have an island? Try painting it a contrasting colour from the upper cabinets to really liven up the room. Between the type of cabinets, the colour, and the hardware, you can really customize the look and showcase your personal style throughout. After all, we spend so much time in our kitchens it’s important to create a space you love.

Painting banisters

Small, narrow, a means to an end… Don’t let these adjectives be the only words to describe your staircase. All you need is a quality bucket of paint and your stairway can become the new grand feature in your house. The most popular way to revamp an old, outdated staircase is to paint the banister using neutral colours. If you want to go a little further and make more of an impact, try painting the vertical portion of each step also known as the stair risers. You can get really creative here by adding pops of colour or even prints. Stains can be a great alternative to paint and are also a great option to transform your staircase.

Painting Decks and Porches

Has your deck or porch seen better days? Bring it back to life with some paint! Although paint isn’t the traditional way to revive an old deck, if done properly it will certainly add some life and curb appeal to your home. You can keep it simple and use one solid colour throughout or get a little more adventurous with stripes, checks, or faux rugs. Pro tip: Traditional oil-based enamel wood paints are very durable options for wood floors that see lots of foot traffic. Don’t forget to use primer!

Painting Doors

Painting your front door is an easy and affordable way to add instant curb appeal to your home. Make a statement by using a vibrant colour like red or yellow, or go a little more classic with a solid black or steel blue. Make sure there is a contrast between your door and the colour of your house as you don’t want them to blend together. Once you choose a colour, add some show stopping accessories like new hardware and a decorative wreath. Have you ever considered painting your interior doors as well? Step outside the traditional white or off white and go a little bolder with colour! You can really play around with your paint choice and add a fun design element to the room.

To celebrate National Decorating Month in April, we ran a social media contest asking the public to submit their best home decorating tips.

The top 4 tips were selected to win a gift card to The Brick and have their tip featured in an Atlas Canada blog. We were overwhelmed by all the amazing advice we received and after much deliberation, narrowed it down to our 4 winners. Each tip was chosen for its practicality, timelessness and ability to give your home a unique touch. Keep reading to see what our winners had to say and don’t forget to check the Atlas Canada Facebook page for more monthly contests!

Tip 1: Don’t rush your design

“Decorate as you go and come back to your design after a while. Starting with a fresh mind will boost creativity every time to make your decoration a masterpiece.”
– Calvin F.

After looking at a room for a while it can start to look like a blur when trying to plan a theme and style you want. The best way to avoid getting frustrated or overwhelmed by the decorating process is to take your time! Maybe you’ve been trying to plan the look of your kitchen and with most kitchen renovations being expensive and time-consuming, you want to get it done as soon as possible. Taking a break and coming back to the design with a fresh set of eyes will spark creativity and help you create something you truly love. Shop around for the products and styles you like and look online or in magazines for some extra inspiration. In the end, you will be glad you didn’t rush through your design.

Tip 2: Reinvent old pieces

“We like to go to the Habitat for Humanity Restore and find recycled products to make changes to our house. We’ve repainted and/or recovered a new door, new cabinet fronts and a new chair all found at the restore. They look brand new all over again!”
– Melissa B.

When it comes to picking out some new décor for your home be sure to check out old finds in any local vintage shop, restore, or garage sale. You can find some real treasures in these places! Just by adding a fresh coat of paint or changing out the hardware you can easily modify the look of a piece and still keep its antique detail. You don’t have to go to a thrift shop to do this. It can also be done with old items passed down from family members or furniture you’ve had lying around for years. The makeover possibilities are endless!

Tip 3: Picking the right colours

“Pick colours and styles that are interchangeable. For example, grey, white and pink. If you create a room with the same flowing colour scheme, it’s easy to change out certain features to create a whole new look without breaking the bank. Change the drapes from white to grey. Switch up the cushions. Move your decor pieces around or even paint them. Before you know it you’ll feel like you’re in a brand new room because you made it easy to keep things fresh!”
– Estelle M.

It’s important to find a good balance between trendy and timeless when it comes to designing your home. Trends come and go so often that it can be difficult and expensive to keep up with them. The easiest and most cost-effective way to incorporate trends without going over board is to use trendy pieces as accent features that can easily be swapped out. For instance, small furniture, lamp shades, pillows, and throws all make great accents that can be changed each season at a minimal cost. Stick to neutral colours for your walls and larger furniture items as these pieces tend to be more permanent.

Tip 4: Test the rooms lighting

“Pay attention to the lighting in your house before you start. Natural lighting and electrical lighting can really affect the mood of a room, so you need to see how much light is present before you start choosing your colours. This will help create the best showcase for your space and save you time and money in the long run.”
– Jamie H.

When you’re picking a new colour for any room in your home you want to make sure to test the colour in different lighting. One mistake you don’t want is to paint the whole room and then realize the colour looks completely different than it did in the store. To save you some time and money its best to take a sample of the paint colour and test it on a portion of the wall. See how the paint reacts to different lighting in the room throughout the day. After all, a colour can look entirely different in natural light compared to electrical light and will also change depending on the shape and size of the room.

Even with the best of intentions many people tend to throw away a lot of useful items when they move, especially food. Lack of time and convenience often overrule when deciding whether to make a trip to the local food bank, and as a result a lot of good, sustainable food goes to waste. We understand finding extra time is difficult during the busy weeks and days leading up to a move. But with a little bit of planning and some help from our Atlas Agents, minimizing food waste doesn’t have to be a burden. Here are some tips on how to use or donate the food left in your home before moving day.

Plan Your Meals

Meal prepping is a great technique to effectively clear out your pantry. Start by making a list of everything you have in your fridge, freezer and cupboards. Knowing what you have will help you plan better meals and use up more food. Focus on using all your perishable, freezer and opened foods first as these items will spoil quicker and can’t be donated. If you decide to go grocery shopping, stick with just the essentials and avoid buying in bulk. Remember, any leftover non-perishable items make for great donations!

Donate Your Non-Perishable

Atlas and many of our Atlas Agents have partnered with nonprofit group Move For Hunger to help make it easier on you to donate non-perishable food items when you move with Atlas. Simply gather all the non-perishable, long lasting food in your pantry and place them in a donation box. Our partnering Agents will pick up your donations at the time of your move and drop them off at the local food bank. Contact your local Atlas Agent to find out if they participate in our partnership or visit Food Banks Canada to find a donation center near you.

The rise of Canadian real estate has been a hot topic this past year. With many Canadian’s unable to buy on their own, they’re led to invest with others for the additional support or rent if that’s not an option.

Today, the notion of living with a roommate has become very common not just for those in their early 20s but for adults and families as well. Sharing a space whether it’s with your friend, partner or a stranger can be challenging. We made a list of some important questions to address before moving in with a roommate.

What’s your day-to-day schedule like?

Get a better idea of who the person is and what type of routine they have. Their routine will tell you how often they are home and what they do professionally and recreationally.

Are you a night owl or an early bird?

Finding out what time a person generally goes to bed and wakes up will give you a lot of insight. If you have conflicting sleep patterns, be cautious of your noise level during these hours.

What is your favourite way to spend a Saturday night?

If you are a homebody who likes to spend most Saturday nights curled up with a cozy blanket and a good movie, searching for a low-key roommate would be a better fit.

Do you have pets?

There are additional factors to consider when adding pets into the mix. Depending on the size, type and personality of the pet, there might be responsibilities not just for the owner but for the roommate as well. Make sure allergies aren’t an issue!

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

When living in close proximities with someone, you will discover what makes them tick sooner or later. Be open, honest and realistic about your expectations.

Are you neat or messy?

When it comes to cleaning, pulling your weight is important when living with a roommate. Make a cleaning/chore schedule to prevent miscommunication and confrontations in the future.

Do you like to cook at home?

This is a great follow up question that will open the dialogue to groceries and whether you will be sharing anything such as condiments or kitchen appliances. It will also indicate how often there will be dishes at which point you can clarify cleaning responsibilities.

How do you prefer to communicate and resolve conflict?

Some people prefer to communicate face to face and others via text or email. Perhaps a combination of sending a quick text letting your roommate know what the issue is and then discussing in person later will lead to a more productive outcome.

How do you plan on making rent/bill payments?

This question is very straightforward and necessary to discuss. Ensure your assets are protected by confirming who is in charge of what, how the payments will be made and what will be done if a payment cannot be made by one party.

These questions will lead to some great discussions between you and your potential roommate. After all, there are certain things you should know about each other before deciding whether to live together. There’s nothing worse than realizing after the fact you aren’t the right fit.

There is more to moving then just the move itself. Factor in as many variables as you can when creating your budget as it’s better to be over prepared than under.

Although you can never completely anticipate all the unexpected costs of moving, sticking to a budget and leaving extra room for last minute add-ons will make the process less stressful. Here are 4 things to help you prepare for the unexpected on your local or long distance move:

Temporary Accommodations

Sometimes there can be lag between moving out of your old home and into your new one. Whether the delay is planned or unexpected it can cause a rift in your plans. An over-night stay may be all you need but sometimes a long-term rental is necessary. There are affordable options available such as extended hotel stays, bed and breakfasts, Airbnb, or even renting an apartment or house. Planning for this type of expense as early as possible will help eliminate any surprises in terms of cost.

Storage

If your home isn’t ready for occupancy or you’re downsizing into a smaller space, you may find yourself in need of short or long term storage for your belongings. If you decide to hire a mover, full service moving companies often have storage options available. For longer-term storage needs, ask your mover what options they recommend or if a third party facility might be more cost effective.

Babysitter

Don’t forget to plan for the little ones! Arranging for a babysitter may cost extra but it will definitely save you time in the long run. Consider hiring a sitter not just for moving day, but for the days leading up to the move as well as you will be doing the majority of the packing and organizing then. You will have your hands full with the move; the last thing you need to worry about are what the kids are doing!

Replacing Old Items

One of the advantages of moving is being able to sort through your belongings as you pack. You can finally get rid of the old set of pots and pans you’ve been meaning to for decades and toss, sell or donate other dated items! Although purging feels great, make sure to consider the cost of replacing the old items with the new ones. Set aside a reasonable budget for this. If you are downsizing or upsizing, you may need to buy new furniture and appliances to fit your updated space.

Have you ever uttered the words, I won’t forget or I’ll write it down later? If there’s one piece of advice we can provide you when planning a move, it’s to stay organized.

There’s a lot to think about in the weeks and days leading up to a move that you don’t want to worry about whether or not you’ve forgotten something. Keeping everything as organized as possible will help lower your stress levels and make the process much easier. One of the best ways to prioritize and organize your time is with a moving a calendar. Here are 3 reasons why a calendar will help you and your family have a successful move:

Accomplish Your Objectives

There is a lot to think about and accomplish during the moving process from finding a mover, packing, setting up new accounts, etc. Even for highly organized people it can be overwhelming to stay on top of it all. Creating a moving calendar will allow you to see the big picture. You can spread out your tasks over time and plan out realistic deadlines and goals. Give yourself extra time to accomplish each task as things always take longer than expected!

Schedule in Other Activities

The more organized you are, the more time you’ll have to schedule in miscellaneous activities or much needed down time. Writing everything in a calendar will allow you to see where you can be flexible and fit in non-move related days. Making the time for fun activities and important people will help you destress and buckle down when necessary.

Countdown

Start a moving day countdown! If you have small children, a calendar countdown is a great way to get them involved. Creating a timeline of events will eliminate surprises and allow you and your children to prepare and adjust to all the changes. Not to mention it feels amazing getting to knock off all the accomplished tasks along the way!

Ultimately, a moving calendar will help you meet your deadlines and stay productive during a high stress time. A digital calendar is also a great option to consider as they often give you the opportunity to link to your phone or email and create reminders and alarms. You can even print off a copy to put on your fridge!

To make it easy for you, we’ve created a free personalized moving checklist and calendar right on our website. Visit our Moving Tips page and simply type your move date and family name to get your day by day guide. The moving calendar includes important tasks and timelines you may not have thought of and is a great tool to use when planning your move.

Making a rental property feel like your own can be a challenge especially since you’re often limited by the type of alterations you are allowed to make.

Although adding personal artifacts and home décor pieces are a great way to show your personality, it’s not always enough. As a tenant there are still plenty of ways you can decorate a rental beyond your personal knickknacks. Here are four reversible decorating tricks to try at home:

Light Fixtures

Lighting can really set the overall tone of a room. It’s not uncommon for a rental property to have outdated or standard light fixtures that not only give off poor lighting, but are unpleasant to look at. There’s an easy fix for that! Swap out the old light fixtures for something more stylish and new. There are many budget friendly options available to help you set the right tone. Make sure to keep the old fixtures to replace once you move out.

Hardware

Updating your kitchen cabinet pulls and door knobs is another small way to make a huge impact in your rental. Take a trip to the local hardware store for a classic look or visit a vintage store for something more unique. Make sure to take the old hardware with you when scouting for new ones to ensure they are the right fit. Don’t forget to keep the old hardware somewhere safe.

Faucets

A good kitchen faucet can make a world of differences when it comes to functionality and style. Since we spend so much time in our kitchens, the last thing you want is a leaky or rusted faucet. There are a wide variety of colours, styles, and functionalities available to choose from all at an affordable price. Your landlord will not object to an update like this!

Window Covering

Curtains and window treatments are an immediate way to transform your rental with personality. If new blinds are out of budget, draw the eye away with a nice set of drapes. Curtains are a non-permanent way to bring colour, texture and style to your walls. Make sure to hang the curtain rod 4-6 inches above the frame to create the illusion of a taller window.

Making your rental more aesthetically pleasing is not as difficult as you think especially with these four decorating tricks! If you’re unsure whether you are allowed to make an update to your rental property, take a look at your lease agreement. Getting written permission from your landlord is another way to ensure you have covered all your bases.

You don’t need to have a green thumb to grow the perfect lawn.

By giving it a little love and following some basic rules, you too can have a lawn all your neighbours envy. Here are 4 tips to help you grow the lawn of your dreams.

Mowing

Learning how to properly cut your grass is the first step to achieving a beautiful lawn. You want to make sure you are cutting high and frequently so that the grass doesn’t grow too tall and stays fresh by trimming off any damaged ends. If you cut too low, this will cause permanent damage and prevent growth. Always mow a lawn dry so it is less likely to clump and avoid mowing during the hottest time of day. It is also important for the lawn mower blades to be sharp enough to cut the grass without leaving any uneven pieces. After mowing, clear any trimmings left on the lawn which can block the grass underneath from getting nutrients.

Watering

Water is one of the most essential parts of keeping a perfect lawn. The best time to water your grass is in the early morning. This way the water has time to sit during the day and the soil can absorb all of the water with the sun rays. If you water the lawn at night the soil will stay damp and won’t be able to absorb the nutrients properly. Make sure you are giving enough water to soak the soil and roots underneath (about 6 inches on average).

Feeding

Aside from water, fertilizer is one of the best kept secrets to a rich green lawn. The optimal time to start using fertilizer is in the spring right before the onset of summer’s hot temperatures. Lawn fertilizers are made with essential nutrients to help promote growth, thickness and colour. However, there is such thing as too much fertilizer. It’s important to not overfeed your yard as this can cause damage to both the new and old grass. The general rule of thumb is to fertilize when your grass is doing the most growing which will depend on your climate. Liquid fertilizer should be applied to your grass once a year to keep it healthy and boost some of the nutrients for the season.

Weeds

Weeds can be the biggest pain when it comes to taking care of your lawn. The best thing you can do for your lawn is to confront them immediately. If you let weeds sit, they will grow and expand and take over before you know it. There are a number of ways to get rid of weeds by using government approved pesticides (check with your local municipality for a list) or natural alternatives. If you have children or pets using natural repellants may be your best option as it is less harmful to anyone that goes on the lawn. Some of the best natural ways to get rid of weeds is using boiled water or a vinegar solution. It is not recommended to pull weeds out by hand because the roots often break and will sprout more. Once the weeds are gone you will have yourself a perfect lawn.