A Guide To Interior Door Selection

Certainly, throughout the course of 2020, we spent far more time at home than we normally would have done and with that came more than a passing interest in what our homes looked like. This created a boost in so many different aspects of DIY and interior design as many people became a lot more houseproud! One aspect of interiors that can sometimes be overlooked is the interior doors but the doors can have can a huge impact on the overall look and feel of your space. 

door


Cost is almost always a consideration when doing any work to houses so this must factor into any work to be done. But fortunately, these days, nice doors don’t have to cost the earth. Here’s my guide to interior door selection and the things you must consider before your purchase:

The supplier

You don’t have to stick with your local wood merchant or DIY supplier and their perhaps limited selection. In fact, buying doors online through websites such as Internal Doors UK means you’ll have access to a huge range to suit all tastes and budgets and it is a very straightforward process too. Furthermore, you can be assured of the quality; just make sure wherever you buy from is trusted and reputable with good customer service to avoid disappointment.

Colour

In the past, doors used to be far more limited in terms of colour so you had to make do with whatever was available. Now, there are so many options which are already finished, then there is also the option to buy doors already primed which you can then paint yourselves. So, you can literally have any colour you desire!

Material

Pine, oak, composite, laminated, glazed, unglazed; there are many choices in material and they vary in price. Were you to opt for a material such as oak, for example, you might find that you pay a little more but it will be worth it? Solid oak doors can genuinely add value to the price of your property as they are such an asset. Consider the overall appearance of your home and what ‘look’ you want to achieve. Also, consider what level of security you want to have – internal fire doors, for example, are a good option in some properties, while internal steel doors create luxurious, cosy ambient for internal spaces."

Size

This may seem an odd suggestion as many doors are a standard size. However, there is an increasing popularity for oversized doors, i.e. very tall or very wide sliding magic doors. These can add an impressive level of drama to any home and make it feel a lot more modern. You could also opt for wide, sliding doors which can turn two rooms into a more open-plan space if you want to have the best of both of these worlds.

Your internal doors really can make all the difference to the overall look and feel of your home so it is worth spending a bit of extra time to make the right choice. You don’t have to spend the earth to ensure you get the right doors for your home too as long as you buy them from the right place!

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4 Important Things To Consider When Selling Jewellery

Are you getting rid of unused jewellery or raising money for a big project? There are plenty of platforms for selling your items and so many that deciding on the best option warrants careful deliberation. While you can side-step most pitfalls with some fundamental knowledge, there are some aspects that you might have overlooked.  I have sold many pieces of jewellery online so have personal experience of this. For that reason, I have come up with four important points to consider when selling jewellery. 

1. Do Your Own Research 

emerald ring

More than 60% of shoppers cited the retailer’s honesty and knowledge among the top factors they consider when they buy jewellery. So, how do you become a trustworthy seller? It is as simple as showing your customer that you know the product inside and out.

Prepare to answer questions about the brand, age, origin, and materials of the item. Always keep documents that prove the authenticity, value, and origin of your product. Older pieces may not come with paperwork, but you can utilise the internet to learn about an item.

Research also involves knowing what makes your item stand out so you can hit your target market. Are you selling designer jewellery to modern, independent women or pre-owned pieces to environmentally conscious consumers? The more you know about your merchandise and your audience, the more you are likely to get a good return for it.

2. Get an Accurate Valuation

jewellery appraisal

A valuation is not only useful for claiming insurance in case a piece is lost or stolen, it is also the best way to determine the worth of an item. You don’t want to receive less than the real value of the jewellery, especially if it is something you have inherited. Who knows? The piece could be a valuable antique.

Established jewellers offer in-house valuation services, but if you’re considering selling online, you can hire an independent valuer to appraise your item. Once the process is complete, you will receive documentation providing the details of your jewellery and its value. The service is expensive and sometimes lengthy, but it could be worth the cost and hassle if you want an accurate idea of the item’s resale price and you think it's worth a lot of money.

3. Consider Where You Will Sell


antique ring

From pawnshops to auction houses to online consignment stores, you have more choices than you can count. Before you decide where to sell, consider the worth of the item and if you are willing to wait to get the profit.

Auction houses are ideal for selling vintage jewellery and antiques because they target buyers hunting for rare finds and unique collectables. The disadvantage is, auctions don’t happen regularly, so you do not know when you will be able to sell your jewellery. For quick cash, a pawnshop is your best option; however, there is no guarantee that you will get the right price for your item in fact you will often get the bottom rate.

If you don’t mind waiting a long time for your product to sell, an online marketplace is a perfect venue for you. It allows you to pick the price of the piece, as well as choose the buyer. Be sure to choose an online platform that specializes in used jewellery. Such stores usually have better customer trust-ratings compared to general websites, such as eBay and Craigslist. They also have reliable safety nets that protect both sellers and customers from scammers.

4. Invest In Good Jewellery Photography

ring

If you decide to sell online, a good photograph can make or break a deal. Therefore, be sure to invest in excellent, high-quality images. Think about hiring a professional to take pictures of the item. But if that's way out of your budget, at least learn the basics of jewellery photography.

While you should show your customers any imperfections, you should focus on the highlights of the piece, such as unique design, stylish cuts, clarity of the gems.

Avoid insufficient lighting, reflections that could affect the colour of the product, incorrect image size, and inconsistent background. Shoot plenty of images, and show the piece from every angle, including how it would look when worn. It may be worth investing in a lightbox if you are going to sell a lot of jewellery online. Getting your jewelry photography right is so important. 

So here are 4 important this to consider when selling jewellery. Have you sold any jewellery? Do you have any tips? 
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Moving House? Here Are 5 Ways To Keep Furnishing Costs Down

Moving house soon? It’s an incredibly exciting time. However, it’s also a period of your life that will be full of stress, worries and near-constant measuring. After all, despite our best-placed plans and our dreams of moving into a beautiful new space, we often come across problems that can make the moving bills skyrocket. For example, that comfy corner sofa you have probably doesn’t fit into the new lounge, and your dining table probably doesn’t fit as snug into the corner as you'd hoped it would.

However, if this is the case, then there’s no need to panic because help is at hand. Here are five simple ways you can keep furnishing costs down when moving house.

Buy furniture online



It’s often far cheaper to buy furniture online than it is to buy it from brick-and-mortar stores. This is because online retailers usually have much lower overheads than physical stores, so savings can be passed directly onto customers. You can also compare prices easily from a range of suppliers.

In addition to this, you’ll experience the added benefit that many online retailers sell all forms of furniture, so there’s no need to stop in hundreds of places and spend days deciding what’s right for you. When we take a look at the range of furniture from VidaXL, for example, we can see how easy it is to buy everything you need from one place. So, not only is it cheaper to buy furniture online, but it’s often more convenient, too.

Cost effective accessories



It’s easy to cut costs without sacrificing style. So, if you’ve already invested large sums in statement pieces of furniture, then you should look for cost effective accessories to make sure you’re getting the best possible value.

For example, your throws, rugs and pillow cushions can all be bought cheaply because they’ll likely only last a few years anyway before they’re damaged by the dog or red wine is spilt on them. You can ring the changes then too.

Keep a close eye on fitting costs



If you’re looking to tile a few rooms or lay new flooring in the house, then it’s well worth picking one tile or flooring style and sticking to it throughout. This is because, if you buy flooring or tiles in bulk, you’re more likely to be able to negotiate a great price.

Similarly, if you have lots of different flooring and tiling options that need to be fitted, this will be time-consuming for a fitter because they’ll need to keep checking plans. If they charge by the hour (as most fitters do), then this cost will rise quickly. For the exact same reason, you should choose plain tiles and flooring options where possible. This is because, if your fitter needs to line up intricate patterns, you may find the fitting costs skyrocket as a result.

Consider DIY



Any time you walk into a furniture showroom or a shop, you could spend £1,000s on beautiful items. However beautifully-made items will often sell for a premium, particularly if they have a designer name attached. If you are happy to take on some DIY yourself you could create the same look yourself if you have the skills.

For example, a simple wooden table can be made cost-effectively and easily if you’re willing to invest the time. As this guide from The Guardian shows, it’s actually relatively straightforward to build a dining table from reclaimed wood, and all of the equipment will cost you under £100.

Buy things over time


As renowned designer Laurie Blumenfeld says, ‘your house doesn’t have to be all created at once’. As a result, you should assess what’s really important to you and prioritise your spending. After all, if you’re willing to wait a bit longer for non-essential items and pieces of furniture you’re happy to upgrade, then you’re likely to be able to pick up these pieces in the sale, which will bring your total furnishings cost down. It often pays to be patient.

Moving house is a fun and exciting time, so make sure you enjoy the experience. By following these five tips, you’ll ensure that your furnishing budget looks after itself. This means you can sit back, relax and enjoy your new space.

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How to Celebrate Your Recent Pay Rise

You’ve just learned that your boss is going to be increasing your wages to reflect the amount of time and effort you put into your job – and you’re looking to celebrate.

Whether a pay rise comes as part of a promotion, or as a reward for a job well done, it’s always going to be worth celebrating. However, you might not want to throw a party just so you can tell everyone that you’re now earning extra money.

If you’ve earned yourself some extra cash lately and you’re not sure how to go about celebrating it, I've got some advice that could help you move in the right direction. Here’s what you need to know about celebrating raises, bonuses, and more. This is an ad.

Be Respectful

success

The first thing you need to do when you’re celebrating an increase in your wage is to make sure that you’re discrete. Don’t go rushing to your coworkers to tell them how much more you’re going to be earning than them. Just because you’re getting a bump in your income doesn’t mean that they are, and this can lead to some tension between team members if you’re not careful.

Don’t make a big fuss about receiving the extra money to the people that you’re working with. Even offering to buy everyone a drink can seem a little big-headed and boastful if you’re not careful. Wait for your colleagues to come to you and congratulate you, then you can ask them if they want to celebrate with you later. 

Don’t Share It On Social

Just like you shouldn’t start shouting about your raise in the office, it’s probably best to avoid mentioning it on social media too. Especially in the current situation where people are worried for their jobs. This can also make you look bad to your employer, and your colleagues, by indicating that you can’t keep things private. It could also mean that you upset other people in your social circle that aren’t having the best time with their finances.

If you want to make a statement, then try doing it discretely, by saying you feel blessed with a picture of you in your work uniform or giving a shout-out to all the other successful people in your life. If someone wants to ask for more of an explanation, that’s up to them. 

Change Up Your Budget


When you earn some extra money, you shouldn’t just spend it all on things that you don’t really want or need. Unfortunately, a lot of people fall into this trap. To avoid wasting the cash you’ve just now started to earn, look at your existing budget and see how you can change things up. Maybe you can put some extra cash into your savings account going forward?

Would you be able to pay your debts off faster now? If you can close down some of your old credit accounts with the extra money that you’ve earned, this could be an excellent opportunity to make a huge difference to your financial situation. 

Treat Yourself

Once you’ve taken the time to check your budget and figure out exactly what you’re going to do with your new income, you should know how much you can reasonably afford to spend. This is when you can start thinking about how you want to treat yourself. You might want to avoid going too over the top with your first new pay rise, but a small treat is definitely deserved.

It’s totally up to you to decide what you spend your money on. UKGifts has some great ideas for gifts for new jobs, promotions and pay rises or perhaps it could be something new for work, like a new jacket or a pair of shoes. Alternatively, you could completely ignore the business side of your life and invest in something fun. After all, you must have worked pretty hard to deserve this pay bump, so why not relax?

Celebrate With The People Who Matter


Finally, just because you shouldn’t be boasting about your pay rise to the people in your office, doesn’t mean that you can’t celebrate at home with your loved ones. Take the opportunity to let your hair down and pat yourself on the back for all the hard work you’ve done that’s helped you to get this far. It might be a good idea to take your partner out for a fancy meal or invite the family over for some drinks and a celebration.

The chances are you’ve been working extra hard lately, so it’s a good idea to remember that there’s more to life than your career. Have some fun with the people you love.

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4 Common Impacts Of Stress And Action You Can Take

Do you constantly feel as though you are overwhelmed and perhaps like your life is getting out of control? Well, you’re certainly not alone here. Indeed, one report suggested that more than 75% of people have felt completely overwhelmed at least once within the past year? The impact of the coronavirus pandemic coupled with the state of the economy and worries about Brexit make this an uncertain and worrying time for many. Regardless, it’s important to understand the impact that stress can have on your life and the action that you should consider taking.

woman computer

Pain

It’s not uncommon for people who are under immense levels of stress to suffer from high levels of pain. Why is this? If you are feeling stressed, then you might find that your body looks for a way to cope with this. Stress can make you tense and your body can suffer pain as a response. It's also a vicious cycle, if you are in chronic pain it can cause you stress and depression.  CBD creams can be useful in this case. CBD creams act locally on a specific area. Just rub the cream in and soothe away any aches and pains you may feel. 

It can also be helpful to find a way to relax. You might want to try meditation or yoga. Studies have shown that meditation can be tremendously beneficial and provide the escape from the pressures of life that you need. Another option is higher concentration alternative remedies. 

Sleep Deprivation

One of the most common issues that people tend to deal with when they are under immense levels of stress is changes to their sleeping patterns. People who are stressed, often want to fall asleep but when it’s time for their head to hit the pillow, they just can’t close their eyes. Instead, they stay up all night and end up exhausted the next day. There are a number of things you can do.  Stop technology an hour before bedtime, have a warm bath and listen to relaxation music. If you are struggling with your sleep, you might also want to explore trying CBD gummies. Research shows that these can help people relax enough to get the sleep they need. Alternatively, Gold Bee produces award-winning supplements that can help sleep and anxiety. 

Depression

Of course, you might find that your struggles with stress lead to you developing more serious mental health issues such as depression. Depression is best described as any period of extended sadness with low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness, where you feel completely drained and devoid of energy. If you are worried that you are suffering from depression and struggling to handle it, then you might want to think about speaking to a doctor. A combination of talking therapies and medication for depression can really help.  A cognitive therapist can also help you get to the root cause and ensure that you can tackle the issue head-on. They look at your thought processes and the way you think and how to change your behaviour. 

Hair Loss

Hair loss might not seem like a serious issue. However, it can have a serious impact on your self-esteem which can cause problems like anxiety. If you are worried about the state of your hair due to stress, try bamboo oil. This can help it grow back thicker and stronger.

We hope this helps you understand some of the key impacts of stress on your mental and physical wellbeing as well as the steps that you can take. Don’t suffer in silence if you are under immense levels of stress. It’s absolutely vital that you do get the support you desperately need.

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Reasons Why People Buy Life Insurance

Life Insurance. It's important, isn't it? However, we all have a number of bills we pay every month and sometimes we forget to account for life insurance. We may think we will get around to organising it next month, or we have that unexpected bill to pay so put it off again, but life insurance is a sound purchase to protect your family. Let's have a look at why. This is an ad.

What is life insurance?


Life insurance is an insurance policy that you pay into that gives you benefits when you die. The price of the policy is decided by how old you are, if you have any health conditions, your lifestyle for example if you smoke or drink excessively or do dangerous sports and how much cover you need. 

Types of life insurance 

There are different types of life insurance but they are divided into two main categories - term insurance and cash value.

With term insurance, If you die within the term, the policy pays out to your beneficiaries but if you don't you do not get any money back. With cash value, a portion of the premium you pay goes to cover the cost of insurance and a portion goes toward a savings account. 

Why buy life insurance?

People buy life insurance for security so that the can leave money to a love one, and pay off debts like helping to pay for funeral costs or that the mortgage is paid off on death.

In what circumstances would you buy life insurance?

children
There are a number of circumstances that you would buy life insurance in. 

If you have dependents then that's a major time to buy life insurance.  If you have a baby, or if you adopt this is a good time.  You want to know that they will be financially stable if you die, that your debts will be paid off and that they have money to go to college, buy a house or travel the world.  

If you have elderly relatives or you are a primary caregiver this is also a good reason to buy life insurance, so that on your death you know that there will be money to pay for the care of a dependent. 

If you are planning to get married or buying a house, you may want to start putting your finances in order. A policy can cover mortgage repayments, household bills, school fees, car loans and credit card debts on death.

If you have a job that has an element of risk if may be sensible to have life insurance too. Jobs such as being a firefighter, construction worker, and miner for example carry extra risks that you may want to insure for. 

If you have a hobby that is risky, you may want to consider life insurance. Hobbies like sky diving, scuba diving or rock climbing. You may pay more to insure yourself but the cost could be worth it depending on the risk involved. 

Conclusion

Life insurance is important. If you are considering life insurance get a free life insurance quote for peace of mind. 

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