Bike riding is great fun for kids, there’s no getting away from that fact, and it’s really good for their health too, but after a while of biking here, there and everywhere, kids can begin to get bored. That’s why, if you want to encourage your children to remain active despite being slightly bored with their bikes, it’s essential that you think outside of the box and get creative. Wondering what other ways there are for your kids to get about independently and have fun while doing so? Below is a guide to some fantastic alternatives to bikes for kids that can offer many of the same health benefits and are just as fun as cycling.

Rollerblading can be an excellent mode of transport for kids to travel shorter distances, providing they know how to keep themselves safe, that is and are reasonably competent rollerbladers. Most kids have rollerskates at one point or another, and if a child can rollerskate with confidence, with a bit of practice, they can usually rollerblade too. If you’re worried about your child rollerblading, you can always get them some lessons first. These cover techniques and general safety tips, giving you and them peace of mind when they're out and about.
Skateboarding is another option that could be great for your children. It’s a fun and exciting hobby and one that can burn a lot of calories and energy. Of course, as with any sport, skateboarding can be dangerous if the proper safety precautions aren’t taken. A helmet and elbow and knee pads are a must for all new skateboards, as are a few lessons to help them find their feet. As for their skateboard, don’t buy them a children’s skateboard from a toy shop as these are not designed to work as well or as safely as adult skateboards. Instead, pick them a small-sized adult skateboard like a mini cruiser so that they can ride more safely.

Another fantastic alternative to bike travel is scootering. Scooters are easy to use meaning if they've not quite mastered biking or aren't confident with it then these are a useful alternative. They come in a wide range of different styles and there are lots of models designed for kids. There are traditional scooters and a range of more modern designs to choose from; there are even scooters with rechargeable motors built in for a different experience. However if you're wanting them to keep fit and burn energy, a regular foot powered model is the way to go.

When you work at home, it is so helpful to have a dedicated space in which to spread out and concentrate on the day's tasks. In fact, it can help you get into the right state of mind, and keep all your work-related clutter from spreading all over the house if you have an office or an office area within the home. With that in mind check out the advice on creating the perfect home workspace below. Find a space to dedicate to work, in your home.

Sometimes the hardest thing about creating an office or workspace in your home can be deciding where to locate it. The reason for this is because each different person will have different priorities. For example, a working mum may want to be close to the playroom so she can keep an eye and ear out for what the little ones are up to. Alternatively, those working in a house that is deserted in the day may have more choice as to where to place their workspace and can decide to locate it in term of where would be most conducive to work. With some folks choosing a summer house in the garden during the warmer months for this, or even an attic space that allows them a clear delineation between work and their home life.

Once you have found the space in which to locate your office area, it's time to consider the basic decorations. The two issues that come to mind here are the colours that you will use and making the best use of light. First of all, don't think that picking colours is an arbitrary thing, because they can have a massive effect on your mood, motivation, and focus. In fact, you can choose bright and warm colours like red and orange which are better for motivation and enthusiasm to decorate your area. Of course, if you don't want to go the whole hog and have everything painted in such bright colours, you can always use bright white walls which are great for light and can be calming, and then add in colourful accents like these red roller blinds, or even orange ornaments on the walls. Then you will still get the benefit of such intense colours without it feeling too much in your home.

Once you have decided on the decoration, it's time to consider the furniture in your workspace. Most folks go for a desk and chair, especially if they spend a lot of time at their computer because of it much better for their posture and backs.  It's also vital that you pick out some storage that not only fit in the space you have but also is aesthetically pleasing as well. Then you will be able to file away all the accoutrements of your business once the day is over and stop it from spreading all over your house. This is something that can be bad for your work-life balance, as well as making it difficult to keep your home neat, tidy and organised in the way you would like.

This beautiful summer is extremely hot, but it’s in no way restrictive to performing some excellent home activities - quite the contrary. The beautiful summer allows for many different home restorative and decorative activities to keep on top of things, so consider taking care of this organizational tasks that make use of the summer sun:

How long have you put off starting your garden? It’s not uncommon for almost everyone to wish that they had more of a handle on their beautiful outdoor space, but how do you find the time? Well, you make the time. This might be the summer that you begin, organizing your layouts and buying seeds of potential (and literal vegetables) to burrow into your soil. Getting started often requires an investment to ensure that you follow the hobby. Just like if you’re about to begin running, you purchase running shoes, gardening can often be sustained as a hobby for longer if you’re willing to invest yourself and your finances in its new beginning. Consider purchasing a shovel, a hoe, a trowel, soil, a compost divider, and of course a building from South West greenhouses. Starting your vegetable garden will then be a matter of reading guides, watching television programs, and nurturing your green creative vision. When unveiling your new potatoes, carrots and asparagus during your Sunday roast months from now, you’ll perhaps feel a pride you haven’t felt for some time.

Of course, this is the time of year where all construction projects need to take place. Repairing your roofing can be a great example of this. Calling workmen to plug any holes, install new roofing felt, and perhaps isolate and repair damage in the roofing beams or shingles can grant you peace of mind, helping you know that you’re covered for the span of winter and beyond. Plus, if extensive works needs to be conducted on your property, the extended spells of pure sunlight should allow work to take place, free from any negative weather while the opening is required.

Just like roofing, now can be a great time to work on your home security while the sun is out. This isn’t just installing security cameras and all of the bells and whistles, as often that can be done in any weather condition, and you may not require it. However, wiring a floodlight for your driveway, or digging the foundations for a thick new garden fence is all best conducted in the light of the summer, where moisture and rain will not impede your construction abilities. A new fence is best installed in the dry ground, and the conditions for planting purchased bushes at the border of your front garden can also help matters tremendously well. With this taken care of in the light, beautiful hours, you can be sure that the oft-dark winter months will be protected against, and your property will stay secure.

With these summertime home organisational tips, you can stay productive in the summertime beauty.

If you’ve just purchased a house or have recently moved, then it’s understandable that like most people you might be feeling a little unsettled. Our home environment profoundly affects our emotional state, and when you move house, it’s a bit like someone thrashing around a stick in an otherwise serene lake… it’s disruptive and unsettling. People often buy a new house with the expectation they will feel ‘at home’ straight away, but it doesn’t tend to happen instantly as home is not a place - it’s a feeling- and this feeling can take some time to develop. Furthermore, there’s a need to mourn the loss of your previous home in order to embrace the new, and it can take a little time to adjust - therefore, if you’re feeling unsettled and like your new house is yet to feel like home, take reassurance in the fact this is normal. 

Property searching can be exciting and tedious in equal measure. Regardless of how well prepared you are, there always seems to be an element of feeling rushed. Often you need to try and sync the sale of your home with the purchase and ownership of another, and this whole process can feel like quite a dramatic one. In all of the chaos, it can be easy to forget to check the new properties thoroughly, especially on repeated viewings. But there are a few things you really need to check carefully or you could end up paying the price later down the line. It can be helpful to take pictures or a notebook with you when you go, so once you're going through your shortlist later on nothing gets overlooked.

Searching for damp is important because it is one of the most pervasive health hazards in any modern home. Damp can occur in places that are initially hard to see, especially behind furniture or in hidden folds of the ceiling beams. Damp can rise from the basement, or it can be pervasive in any small cubbyholes that you may not have checked. This can be a worrying difficulty, because not only does damp give off mould spores, but it can often lead to much reducing the integrity of a wall. If you have infants or children in the house, damp can play havoc with their respiratory system. For that reason, it’s important to check the new property as much as you can for this issue, and ask for an honest assessment from the home seller. You may also ask to send a property inspection expert to give the house a once-over while you wait, as this could maybe identify larger issues than you might have been expecting. Removing damp can be a costly endeavour, so be sure to stay wise and try to rectify this the moment you find it, in order to prevent the problem from getting worse.

Power outlets are important for obvious reasons. It can be useful to assess where they are in each room, and how that furniture setup might accommodate their use. It might be you hope to replan and redecorate the layout of a room, but in advance it’s best to consider where the power outlets are so you can think in advance. It might be you hope to change them, or in the worst case scenario, you notice that they are incorrectly fitted, or an electrical hazard you may not want to deal with. Loose plugs, damp around the perimeter of the power outlet or even obvious damage and shattering of the fixture can all be huge causes of concern. For this reason, it is absolutely necessary to try and identify and rectify any problems now. It might be that most of the house is completely fine, but the basement power outlets have gone without maintenance for some time. The more you can become aware of the electrical setup of the home, the more requests you can make of the seller, or hiring professionals for a solution can be done in a hastier timeframe.

It’s important to view and consider the security of your new home. This is not least because you will usually find that security setups may change from family to family. It might be that while the elderly couple you are buying the property from had little issue with an open garden, moving in with the three dogs you own could be cause for concern, as they may have free access to the road. Your needs may change depending on the location of the home itself. For example, in rural areas with perhaps little or no neighbours, it might be that installing motion floodlights on your driveway or purchasing a CCTV system can deter those thieves hoping to take advantage of your relative isolation. It might be that you consider the entrances to your new homes, such as basement access, or a garage connection, and see the need to improve security matters there. You may also decide to meet the neighbours, as it’s likely you’ll have at least some. Getting on board with a neighbourhood watch program, or at least understanding that it exists, can help you feel safe in the knowledge that a supportive community is waiting for you.

Windows and window arches are often overlooked when it comes to finding a new home. While you may have ideally wanted double glazing, it might be that a listed building you are purchasing requires set rules about the installations you can make. It might be that windows are less insulated than they could be, and this could have a direct impact on your heating costs and general home running overheads. It might be that windows in old farmhouses or buildings with history are brittle and perhaps close to disrepair. In the cold hours of winter, finding out then could be less than ideal. Some buildings, such as converted places of religious practice, might even host stained glass windows or other amazing artwork, and in order to rectify issues, you may need a specialist solution. This can often cost into the thousands. For this reason, lending more of an inspecting eye to the whole window setup of your potential home can be a very smart way to proceed.

The plumbing setup of a home is important too. This helps dictate where your bathrooms will be, how you can perhaps reupholster the restroom environment, and understand how issues could and might occur. Finding where you can switch off the water and where the valve is located is important, as is the potential tendency of the plumbing operation during winter. One of the most important things to consider here is how the boiler works. Simply opening the supply cupboard, seeing when it was installed and how regularly it was serviced can help you predict when repairs or another full boiler installation will be required. Going without warm water can truly be an annoyance, particularly in the colder months, It’s best to prepare for that time now, especially if you hope to move in in the near future.

Proximity is one of those matters that will be valued differently by each individual. Some may be looking to get away from it all after living in a city for a decade. Some may hope for added convenience after having to drive 30 minutes anywhere from their rural cottage. Simply driving around the local town, driving to the next city and really scouring the environment for facilities and shops can gain you somewhat of an idea of how your life will move in the new property. Of course, this is in no way under the control of the home seller. This is simply a good means to identify if you’ll truly feel at peace here, despite how beautiful the home is. Considering the proximity of your neighbours can be a good idea, especially if you value repeat socializing or perhaps complete privacy. Proximity can determine just how well you settle into a community, or just how much peace you may feel. All of this can combine and perhaps gift you a wonderful sense of your new potential life, which is in no way an insignificant part of your experience should you choose to buy the new home.

The upkeep of the garden area may be a cause for concern. Depending on when you view the house, this upkeep can differ, so be sure to try and use your imagination. An overgrown garden can always be cut, and dried soil from the winter's edge can always be rectified in the warmer months. However, if the patio is broken and decrepit, if there are large trash piles or perhaps damaged fences, or if the perimeter of the property seems to be a great place for those wishing to commit private and harmful affairs, including graffiti tagging of your walls, then you might be dissuaded from the otherwise beautiful property. Remember that you don't necessarily need a green thumb to care for your outdoor space well, low maintenace is always an option. Consider how much land you have, the quality of that land, and what time and financial investment the upkeep of such will take. Then, you will often find that the exterior of your property informs the interior to the exact same degree as the reverse.

Finding a home is not an easy task, although it's always fun to imagine what your new life will look like. With a diligent eye and a checklist to hand, you can one by one imagine how your new life will be, understand what continual cost this may incur, and what repairs should be made in the interest of your safety and the integrity of the property.

It’s pretty clear just how important the garden is when it comes to influencing the rest of the property. This is something you have to look at moving forward because it’s going to go a long way toward helping the property improve and advance. There are a lot of things you might consider when it comes to improving and sprucing up your garden, and it’s important to make sure you focus on what you can to update the garden and give it a makeover. The weather is good, and it is the perfect time to get out into the garden and start making some changes. You need to understand and appreciate what is involved in a garden renovation project, and you need to consider the things you can do yourself. There will be larger projects, such as getting a conservatory installed, or maybe even a pool, but they will require professionals. These are a few of the renovation and makeover ideas you can carry out yourself.

One of the most impressive features you tend to find in modern gardens is the secret garden element. This is generally where part of the garden is hidden away, down a path, or behind some bushes, and can be used as a small, special garden. A secret garden can have anything in it, a pond, flowers, plants, trees. It is a special place full of beauty and serenity, and you should try to create one for your garden.

Trees are a really great and very underrated addition to the back garden. They are very simple and inexpensive to put in, as well as being great value for money. Trees have longevity, and they make your garden look a lot more majestic and impressive; what’s more, they are a great way of getting your garden in shape for the summer. There are many different types of trees you can get for your property, and you need to think long-term about what works.

Pathways can make a massive difference to the way the garden looks and feels. It will seem to have much more of a makeover when you add some pretty, winding pathways in. The best way of really accentuating these and making them look even better is to make sure you use things like gravel, shale, or wood chip. These look smart and will help you improve the aesthetics of the garden.

A greenhouse plays such a big part in helping the property improve and allowing you to grow a range of stuff in the garden. There are a lot of different potential choices you can make, including Halls Greenhouses which are worth a look. Making the right decision when getting a greenhouse for your home is so important.

Most starting up entrepreneurs don’t have the funds to hire a business venue and start their venture from home. No matter if you are a freelance writer or a card maker, a baker, or a babysitter, you will eventually notice that your home has changed and lost some of its functionality. Below you will find a few tips on how to keep your business and home life separate, even if you do most of your work from home.

The first thing you need to check is whether there are any unused spaces in your home or outbuildings you can turn into an office or a workshop. You can convert your garage, your conservatory, or simply build an attic room. If you have an outbuilding, you might look into the option of Barn conversion, which can be cheap and great for your business, whether you need office space or a workbench with power tools.

Your home has a value that goes far beyond its purchase price. Of course, when future homeowners review their choices and options, the financial value of a property plays a significant role in the offer they are going to make to the seller. The offer, indeed, is established by comparing how much the house is worth in comparison with how much additional improvement and renovation works will cost. The final offer needs to take into consideration how much you, as a home buyer, will have to spend on the property to make it your home. Nevertheless, your mortgage application will need to combine both the price of the property and the cost of all additional works. But it would be foolish to assume that the value of your home is only a price tag. There is a lot more to a house than its market value. But more importantly, failing to recognise the variety of factors that create value for your home might also put you at risk of letting your house waste away. The question you really ought to ask yourself now is whether you are making the absolute most of your property value, from its price to its additional features. Here are some ideas to stop you wasting value!

British homes are among the smallest in Europe. As a result, iconic standard furniture, such as a double bed, is the kind of things that you don’t get to see often in a continent house. Why so? Because a king-size bed is the standard size in the rest of Europe. It turns out our neighbours have a lot more room in their bedroom! But, ultimately, while everything is smaller in the UK, it doesn’t mean you can’t have nice things at home. Indeed, it’s not uncommon for British households to be so crowded with ill-chosen furniture and decorative items that the house feel uninviting. If you find your home too small and too cluttered, it’s probably because you’re not making the most of the space available. Pick furniture that works for your space, instead of buying items that are not suited to your home, and you’ll find that the property becomes roomier in an instant!

Most families choose to buy a house with one or more extra bedrooms to ensure that the living area – the kitchen and living room – are big enough to hold their favourite furniture. However, what do you do with an extra bedroom that you don’t need? For the majority of households, the extra bedroom becomes a guest bedroom, even though most guests choose not to stay over. The rest of the time, the room is left unused. But you could find a practical purpose to give a new value to this empty room. If you’re comfortable with welcoming strangers under your roof, you could consider renting your room. Through the renting a room scheme, you can even make up to £7,500 tax-free per year – any additional gain will have to be declared. If you’re not keen on becoming a full-time landlord or a landlady, you could simply transform your empty room into a home office and rent it out to startups. Small businesses indeed need premises to launch their companies. After all, even Google started in a garage.

Did you know that most mortgage agreements become obsolete within the first few years? Indeed, as your financial situation improves, the conditions under which you were granted a mortgage don’t exist anymore. One of the main differences is the improvement of your credit score since the purchase of the house. Being a homeowner can improve your credit score, especially if your financial history shows timely payment for your mortgage. Consequently, you could consider looking for options to change your mortgage agreement through a refinance calculator, which can be used to replace your existing mortgages, or even to combine several loans under one umbrella payment. In the long term, checking out how your financial situation could affect your mortgage can save you tonnes of money!

Home maintenance generates costs that can’t, unfortunately, be erased. You need to service your boiler regularly; you need to look after the garden; you need to replace the roof every 30 years or so. But aside from these unchangeable costs, there are running costs that can be challenged and transformed effectively. With the increasing energy fees, it’s fair to say that most households in the UK are receiving crippling energy bills. Switching providers can help you to lower these costs. However, the best solution is to only pay for the energy you use. In other words, you need to train your family to create an energy-efficient home. Get used to unplug appliances – phone chargers, TV, etc. – when you don’t use them. Simple hacks such as turning your shower temperature down by only a few degrees can save hundreds of £ over the year.

Everyone generates wastes. Even if you’re conscious not to buy items wrapped in plastic packaging, you will still create food waste. Organic wastes, however, don’t need to pile up in your kitchen bin. You can turn them into something useful, such as making compost for your garden. There are four types of uses to compost: moisture-holding mulch to nourish your plants, soil amendment for plantations, compost tea – the liquid matter – to nourish flowers and potted plants, and finally lawn top dressing to help the grass grow.

Last, but not least, once you’ve started making your own compost, there’s nothing stopping you from turning your garden into a money-saving machine. Growing your own vegetables can save you a lot of money on grocery shopping, without mentioning the additional health benefits of consuming healthy and untreated vegetables. You could save almost £2 per kilo for tomatoes, and £12 for raspberries.

In the end, there’s more value in your home that you first thought. From saving money on your mortgage repayments to renting out a room, you could make sure your home is working for you!

When you buy a new home; you’ll want to make it fit for your family as soon as possible. However, most people have conflicting ideas when it comes to that task, and that is why you will almost certainly have to work on the property you purchase. While you need to make all the final decisions and determine what is best for your family, there is some information below that you might like to read before you begin. Hopefully, this will help to ensure you don’t overlook anything critical, and you get the perfect house for your family as quickly as possible. Of course, which jobs you choose to undertake will usually come down to how much cash you can afford to spend.

It is unlikely you will want to leave the house as it is when you purchase it from a seller. At the very least; you will want to give each room a new lick of paint so you can put your stamp on the place according to sites like Good Housekeeping. Involve the entire family in that task if you want to get it done as quickly as possible. Of course, those who can afford to spend a significant amount of money will probably choose to employ professionals. If you do that, make sure you read some online reviews to sort the wheat from the chaff. The last thing you want to do is employ painters who always take a long time to complete their work. Consider light and neutral colours for the walls because they will make the house appear clean and fresh.

If the home you purchase has had the same bathroom suite for more than ten years; there is a reasonable chance you will want to replace it as soon as possible. You should always employ the experts when it comes to that job unless you have experience and qualifications in electronics and plumbing. If you fit the bathroom suite yourself and make mistakes; you might discover that your home insurance becomes void. That will mean you’ll have to cover the cost of any damage if you flood the house at any point in the future. You can save a fortune on bathroom suites by searching online auction websites like eBay and buying liquidated stock.

The kitchen is usually the most critical space in a family home, and it is where you will spend most of your time preparing meals for the kids. With that in mind, it makes sense to ensure you have the most attractive and functional cooking space possible. Again, you can save a lot of money if you purchase liquidated stock online from companies that have gone bankrupt. It's still worth having the space planned out professionally, that way you know exactly what units to buy to make the very most of the room you have. Consider including a pantry, or transforming an existing cupboard into one for additional storage space.

If you purchase a home that has a garage attached; you might think about converting that space and using it as a spare bedroom or something similar. Those who work from home can use the garage as their office. You should also consider doing the same thing with your loft. It doesn’t make sense to have all that extra space in the home that you do not use. Of course, the average loft conversion costs around £15,000 in the UK, and so your financial situation is going to play a role in that decision. However, you can always get a loan from the bank if you struggle to cover the costs. Hopefully, converting your attic and garage will add lots of value to the property, and that should mean you can see the spending as an investment.

There is a lot of emphasis on going green and reducing your dependence on fossil fuels these days. With that in mind, you should research the idea of installing some solar panels on your roof and making the switch to a renewable energy source. While solar panels are expensive to purchase, there are lots of government-backed schemes that will help you to reduce the cost. Indeed, it is possible to get some solar panels for free if you choose the right deals. Of course, people who do that will never reap the full financial benefits. When you select one of those schemes; you don’t usually get a cheque from the power company at the end of the year for the energy you produced but didn’t use. Bear that in mind.

You’ll want to make sure your outdoor space is perfect before the end of the summer, and so there is no time to delay when it comes to making improvements. At the very least; you need to make sure you cut the grass and plant lots of colourful flowers. Speak to the staff members at your local garden centre if you don’t know where to start when it comes to selecting the best species for your climate. You might also think about digging a pond or something similar to encourage wildlife to come into your garden. Your children are going to love seeing frogs and tadpoles up close. Some folks will even decide to build a brick barbecue so they can host outdoor dinner parties. The possibilities are endless.

Your lounge is where most guests will spend their time when visiting your home. While you don’t have to choose a theme for the entire house, it is sensible to pick one for your seating area. Some people like minimalist themes because they tend to look clean and modern. However, you might like to take a look at the different louvre sizes by Shuttercraft and opt for a farmhouse aesthetic or something similar. If you need advice and information when it comes to finding a list of potential themes you can consider; search Google.

Human beings form their first impressions in a matter of seconds. That is why you need to ensure the entrance hallway of your home looks stunning at all times. Lay some real wood flooring, hang mirrors on the walls, and create an area where people can leave their shoes. The mirrors will help to ensure the hallway space appears more substantial than it is in reality, and the real wood flooring will help to create an upmarket atmosphere. You should also search online for other ideas and speak to your family members. Who knows? Maybe your kids sat watching an interior design program last night and remembered some of the advice the presenter gave? Never underestimate your children!

Those smart home improvement essentials should help to ensure you turn your new house into the perfect family dwelling. Now is the time to create a list of ideas, work out the costs, and put one foot in front of the other. You can complete most of these tasks without assistance if you have a tight budget and lots of time on your hands. Just ensure you don’t mess around with plumbing or electrics unless you have experience and qualifications. The last thing you want to do is electrocute yourself or cause thousands of pounds worth of damage.