Renee was one of the Winter Blues Home Remodeling Contest winners! Read up on her plans of remodeling this bedroom and stay tuned to see how it ends up. 

Eight years ago we decided that it was time to build our dream house. When I say build I mean we hired framers, a plumber, and an electrician, EVERYTHING else we did ourselves. As with everything in life this experience had its ups and it downs, but we did it and we love our home. As we were nearing the end of construction the budget got very tight so we were forced to make decisions as to what we felt was essential to live in the house and what we could live without. One of the things that we felt we could live without was the closet doors in our daughters rooms, 8 years later there are still no closet doors! 2 years ago one of the girls moved to South Carolina and got married to her high school sweetheart who is an Airman. We have talked many times about turning her room in to a guest room but just haven’t gotten around to it. So now is the time.

Our plan for this room is some new paint, my daughter choose the original color and in my opinion it is a horrible shade of pinkish/purple but she loved it! This room will also get some much needed closet doors, and some new window treatments. My daughter also choose the original window treatments, they are a sheer black swag, yuck. Teenagers, what are you gonna do with them! Since she has moved we really haven’t done anything to this room, except shove stuff in it and shut the door! I am hoping that after this room gets a makeover it will no longer be one great big storage closet!

Designing Your Dream Yard

So you want to improve your yard – but how? Start by asking yourself what you’re most passionate about. Are you more inspired to grow zucchini or grill it? Are you into sports or looking to lounge? Do you need space to entertain adults or to play tag with your kids?

Here are some ideas we find particularly appealing. Which one sounds the best to you?

Go beyond the grill.

When it comes to outdoor kitchen appliances, the sky is the limit. How about a poolside pizza oven? Maybe an outdoor bar with a built-in wine fridge? Whatever’s on the menu, a comfortable, shaded table with plenty of seating is a must.

Redefine your living room.

Increase your living space with cozy seating under the stars. Install a stone fireplace on your patio, hang lanterns from a wooden pergola, or reupholster a comfy sofa in one of the many weatherproof fabrics on the market today.

Create an outdoor oasis.

For a quiet retreat, build a backyard arbor, complete with a hammock, a rocking chair, and a rustic tree stump as a side table. Or step up the luxury with spa-inspired features. Hot tubs are heavenly on cool spring evenings; shady cabanas are just the thing for lazy summer days.

Getting Your Project Off The Ground

Once you’ve outlined your project, it’s time to set a budget. Consider how much you can afford for the renovation, as well as how much value it will add to your home. Note that durable, long-lasting materials can save you from costly repairs in the future, so do your research now and choose all your products with care.

Next, draw a map of your yard, noting everything that will affect your design (power lines, for instance, or large trees in a neighboring lawn). From there, you can begin to sketch your dream yard. Play around with a few different layouts; consider sunlight, noise, privacy, and flow.

When it’s time to break ground, we suggest that you do as much of the work as you feel comfortable with. It’s much cheaper to rent a tool from a local home improvement store than to pay someone else to do the work. Remember that friends and neighbors may be happy to lend a hand – especially if they plan to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

The Big Reveal

Backyard renovations require time, creativity, and hard work, but they pay off in terms of enjoyment (and in the value of your home). Why not celebrate your accomplishment with a cookout for friends and family? Or throw a catered garden party to christen your new outdoor retreat.

How PODS Can Help

For major outdoor renovations, you’ll need a place to store materials, tools, and costly equipment. Rather than scattering things around your home (or taking up valuable real estate in your garage), rent a PODS container. They’re secure, weatherproof, and come in sizes to fit any project. Best of all, you can keep them on-site for as long as you need.

We wish you good luck on your lawn and garden projects, and hope you’ll make the most of spring with ample time spent outdoors.

Tornado season in the US is coming up and already here in some states. Most times, tornados take us by surprise but there are still many preventative measures we can take to stay as safe as possible.

“In the U.S., tornado season tends to move northward from late winter to mid-summer. In Southern states, tornado season is typically from March to May. In the Southern Plains, it lasts from May to early June. On the Gulf Coast, tornadoes occur most often during the spring. And in the Northern Plains, Northern states and upper Midwest, peak season is in June or July.”

- Source

 

Here are some tips to keep in mind if you find yourself in the midst of a tornado warning:

• Make sure to listen to your local news on the radio for as long as possible. Staying updated throughout the tornado warning is very important.
• Have a tornado plan that everyone in your household can agree to follow in the case of an emergency.
• Pick the safest room in your home and stay there until it is safe to leave. Rooms that are closest to ground level without windows should be your first choice i.e. basements.
• Put on a good pair of shoes so you can safely walk around and protect yourself from any fallen debris.

How does PODS play a role?

When natural disasters like tornados cause damages, we understand that our services make us uniquely capable of assisting in these sorts of disasters. In the past, we’ve donated our containers to help those in need during tragic, hard times. Moving forward, we love to help whenever we are able to. Our approach to ensure we can do the most good for the community is to work with local government agencies and churches to donate our services.

For more safety tips for before, during, and after a tornado visit the Red Cross page here.

Our relationship with PODS began a year ago when we put our house of 11 years on the market and needed to declutter and stage it. There are many self-storage options in my area, but all require renting, loading, unloading a truck; then repeating the process. My wife and I decided to give PODS a try.

The process could not have been easier: a helpful person on the phone, a friendly, skilled PODzilla driver delivering, and then returning the PODS container as needed. Our house sold within a month. A year later, I needed to move furniture from a home in Central NY, to our home in Massachusetts – 317 miles. Renting a truck was easy enough, but who wants to drive a bulky, loud, and uncomfortable truck that far? With the cost of gas and rental by-the-week, my wife and I would have to load and unload quickly. Who wants to drive 317 miles in a truck after spending days loading it? Oh yes, we also have 3 children in tow; should we take our car and rent a truck… Maybe a moving company: someone else does the loading, driving, and unloading. Easy, but WHAT A PRICE!

PODS to the rescue.

Again, a very helpful person on the phone.

• When do you need it delivered in NY?
• When would you like it picked up?
• When would you like it delivered to MA?

Again, a friendly PODzilla arrived on time with a call prior to arrival. My wife and I were able to take our time and load the PODS container over three days; splitting the time between the furniture and our children. Again, the driver called ahead and arrived on time then THANKED ME FOR MY BUSINESS. My family was able to drive the 317 miles home together in our own car. Our PODS container arrived as arranged and it was like Christmas. Twice we have trusted PODS with my memories and twice they have delivered and exceeded all expectations! Thank you PODS for the excellent service: you have trained your crew well and it is clear they care about your customers and represent your company well.

I will use you again and recommend you to my friends and family.

Very Best,
The Metcalf Family

Prep Like A Pro

Sure, cleaning is a chore, but with a bit of planning you can minimize the hassle and – dare we say – even enjoy the process. Start by looking at your calendar and scheduling a large chunk (or chunks) of time when you know you won’t be interrupted. Don’t hesitate to enlist help from the rest of the family. Everyone in your home should lend a hand to keep it clean.

Next, pick up. A few days before your “deep” clean, go around the house and put away stray items, pitching anything you no longer need. This is also the time to tackle that looming pile of laundry. After all, it’s hard to vacuum when you can’t see the floor.

Stock Your Supplies

Before donning your rubber gloves, you’ll also want to make sure you’re well stocked with cleaning supplies. Take a quick under-sink inventory and replenish anything that’s running low. We recommend stashing your products in a portable shower caddy so you can move swiftly from room to room.

Below is our list of must-have cleaning products. Keep in mind that there are fantastic “green” versions of just about all of these items. Of course, vinegar and baking soda make great natural cleaners too.

Products To Have On Hand

• All-purpose cleaner
• Glass cleaner
• Grout and tile cleaner
• Toilet bowl cleaner
• Sponges and scrub brush
• Rags, including microfiber dust cloths
• Vacuum bags or filters
• Disposable dust and mop pads
• Paper towels
• Garbage bags

Clean From Top To Bottom

Okay, enough prep work. It’s time to clean your space from top to bottom – literally. Always start at the “top” of a room and work your way down to the floors. In the living room, for instance, begin by dusting the ceiling fans, then wipe down picture frames and windows, tackle tables and sofas, and finally, vacuum the carpet. You’ll pick up any dust that’s settled along the way.

Be sure to take breaks from time to time, but keep them short so you don’t lose momentum. Setting a time limit for each room will also help you stay on track.

Take Time For Seasonal Tasks

Congratulations. You’ve spritzed, buffed, and washed your way to a sparkling home…but you’re not off the hook just yet. This is the perfect time to take on special seasonal cleaning and maintenance projects.

Read through our spring chore list, and take care of any tasks that apply to you.

Seasonal Cleaning and Maintenance Tasks

• Wash curtains and dust blinds
• Wipe down baseboards
• Steam clean carpets
• Wipe down inside of refrigerator and freezer
• Clean oven
• Wash pillows, blankets, and comforters
• Turn mattresses
• Replace air conditioner filters
• Check batteries in smoke detectors
• Replace storm windows with screens
• Scrub porch, deck, and driveway
• Clean gutters
• Organize garage

We wish you a happy spring and a successful spring- cleaning. As always, we welcome your thoughts and feedback at PODS.com.

DO’S

1. Be flexible. Often it’s the little things that push a buyer into the “yes” zone. If the buyer goes on and on about how much they love your icemaker, throw it in. If the buyer would like to close earlier and your new home is not ready, use a PODS container and store your belongings so you can meet the buyer’s request.

2. Clean up. One person’s baseball card collection is another person’s cluttered nightmare. Declutter your home before you list. PODS containers work well to store personal collections that cause clutter, but also make it hard for a buyer to see the potential in a home.

3. Wash the windows – inside and out.

4. Clean your kitchen and bathrooms – Scrub like crazy, particularly the kitchen and bath(s). The kitchen may be old but it can still sparkle. De-clutter here too, especially countertop appliances, canisters, etc and keep cupboard doors and drawers closed if your hand is not actually in them.

DON’TS

1. Don’t be greedy. The market—not your emotions—dictates your home’s price. If comparables in the area, and several trusted real estate agents tell you your home is worth $400,000, you’re not fooling anyone by pricing it at $500,000.

2. Don’t get personal. If you’re selling your house for a certain amount, and someone offers something much lower, don’t take this as a personal affront and refuse to counteroffer. Letting your emotions get in the way can potentially ruin the deal.

3. Don’t procrastinate. if you’re serious about selling, consider doing it now.

• Great talent
• Viewer participation
• Heartwarming stories
• Fun celebrity judges

You may have seen us in the news recently with a few celebrity moves. On Wednesday, we had another glimpse of fame. One of our team members spotted a PODS container in the background of one of the scenes.

Color Theory

A little while ago, we wrote an article about the psychology of color and how the paint on your walls at home can have an impact on your mood. The colors you choose can also make a small room in your home look deceptively larger. Going with a lighter and cooler color palette gives a feel of openness in a cramped room. Another color strategy is to paint an accent wall on the wall where your doors are located. This will give the illusion that the room is a little bigger too.

Clear Clutter

This one is a no brainer. Rooms with too much clutter draw attention to the mess instead of the actual room. Make sure to keep smaller rooms especially organized to avoid focusing on the confusion.

The Brighter the Better

There’s no such thing as too much light, especially when it comes to making your room look bigger. Get rid of chunky drapery and add more lamps and other artificial lighting. A dark and dreary room tends to give off a closed off feel.

The Magic’s in the Mirrors

MIrrors are perfect for creating the illusion that your room is bigger than it actually is. Placing it in the right location in your room is important so that it can reflect light, both natural and artificial. You can also get creative with mirrors. You can get a stand alone mirror or hang one up, play around with colors, or choose between vintage and modern.

Don’t forget to enter our Winter Blues Home Remodeling Contest for a chance to win $500 towards revamping a room in your home. You can use these tips and the $500 to make any room look even bigger than it is.

Why Winter?

With gray skies overhead and ice underfoot, home renovations are probably the last thing on your mind right now. But there are actually quite a few perks to tackling remodeling projects during the off-season – most notably, cost. Cold weather means low demand, and low demand means low prices. So your budget will go a lot further now than it will come June or July.

To make sure you’re getting a good value, always check out potential contractors’ reputations through the Better Business Bureau or a consumer ratings website. Get bids from multiple companies, and don’t be afraid to haggle. Negotiate each part of the estimate to ensure the very best price.

Where To Start?

As winter drags on, a simple upgrade to your space can dramatically brighten your sprits. Consider a fresh coat of paint or new drapes in a cheery color. Or, if you’re feeling especially industrious, convert an unfinished basement or attic into a home theater. It’ll add valuable square footage to your biggest investment and help you make the most of chilly days spent indoors.

Roof repair is another worthwhile (if slightly less glamorous) winter project. As snow and ice melt, leaks can become a serious liability. So grab a ladder or a pair of binoculars and scan your roof for damaged shingles. Then fix any problems now, before the spring rains hit.

Things To Consider

Obviously, you’ll need to pay special attention to weather forecasts and plan accordingly, especially if your remodel requires utilities to be shut off. If rain or snow is likely, we strongly recommend renting an on-site storage container to protect building materials, equipment, and belongings.

Before starting any renovation, you’ll also want to take steps to protect your floors. Shield carpets with plastic, and cover hardwoods and tile with rubber mats. And if you plan to do woodwork, factor in the lack of humidity. Doors hung in the winter will expand as the weather warms up.

How We Can Help

Mobile PODS® containers can be a lifesaver during a big renovation. Fill them with furniture while installing new flooring, protect tools and appliances until they’re ready for use, or safely stow valuables while service people come and go. Our containers can be kept on-site or stored at our secure Storage Centers. They’re yours as long as you need them – be it a day, a month, or a year.

As we know, an ordinary year has 365 days and a leap year has 366. With this additional day in February rapidly approaching you may want to consider what you are going to do to make the best of this extra day. Here are a few fun ideas to consider:

Host a Party

Spend the extra day with your closest friends and neighbors with a small potluck dinner party. You can even be one of the first of your friends to throw a Pinterest party. All you have to do is have each of your guests pick a recipe found on Pinterest and bring it to the party. The more of these Pinterest parties that you host, the more exciting it will be to taste all of the recipes you’ve been dying to make.

Get Creative & Stay Organized

Getting organized may not be at the top of your list but there are some fun and creative ways you can accomplish this. One way is to creating a family bulletin board to help keep track of what everyone is doing and when. Another fun idea is to create chalkboards with chalkboard paint. These can be used to help you stay organized wherever you decided to put them – in the bedroom, kitchen, kid’s room or even the hallway. These are a great addition to helping you keep organized.

Relax!
Relaxing and taking time for yourself is a very important thing to do from time to time. It helps us recharge our lives and allows us to destress from the little things that can get under our skin. Set aside a day to relax the best way you know how, whether it’s pampering yourself, watching movies, or just sleeping. You can also check out our No More Stress board on Pinterest for some new ideas.

DIY:

If arts and crafts are your thing, this extra day is the perfect time to take advantage of your hobby. Pick a project, get the supplies and get started on your creation. The DIY approach can even help you knock organization off of your to-do list too. Here’s some inspirational ideas if you chose to go the crafty route.