Decorating

Here are a few simple ideas that will help you to turn your ‘house’ into a ‘home’.

• Put up photos of your family and friends. A house always looks more cheerful with pictures of family and friends dotted around the place.
• Hang up artwork. Have you ever thought about painting your own? Buy a canvas and some brightly coloured paints and let yourself go! You’ll be surprised with what you come up with and how greatit looks.
• Buy some cushions. Some cushions thrown on your sofa will add colour to your home – and make it more comfy.
• Get yourself a lamp or some candles. Warm lamp or candle light always makes a room look more cosy (always remember to put out candles before bed.)
• Flowers. Fresh flowers are lovely,but can be expensive. Why not buy an artificial flower arrangement with big bright flowers to make your home look more welcoming?

Painting

If you decide to re-paint your home, there are a few basic tools that you’re going to need:

• Step ladder – to get to those hard to reach places
• Dust sheets – to put on the floor so that you don’t get paint and dust everywhere
• Paint – choose your favourite colour!
• Paintbrushes and rollers
• White spirit – to remove oil based paints from paintbrushes.

Remember to check with your landlord before making any major improvements!

 

Keeping your house clean and tidy

The first step to keeping your house clean and tidy is to de-clutter – that means getting rid of all of the old magazines, books, pens, papers, shoes and newspapers lying around the place and putting them away properly. You’ll be amazed at how much better your house will look!

Then it’s time to get your hands dirty and start with the real cleaning. Here are some basic items you’ll need to keep your place looking nice and clean:

• vacuum cleaner
• mop and bucket
• bleach, for cleaning the toilet and to put down drain pipes
• cloths
• cleaning agent (spray, cream or liquid) to wipe down kitchen and bathroom surfaces.

Top tip

Home security

If you’ve moved into a new place, change the locks so that you know only you have the keys to get in.

 

Top tip

How to change a light bulb

1. Turn off the lamp or light. If the bulb’s hot, let it cool before you touch it.

2. Take hold of the bulb and turn it counter clockwise until it is released from the socket.

3. Insert the new bulb into the socket and turn it clockwise until it fits properly.

4. Turn the lamp or light back on to check that it works.

Done!