Latest news with #summerTips
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Property expert reveals ten things homeowners can do on the cheap (or for free) right now to add value to their home in time for a summer sale
A property expert has revealed her top tips for homeowners looking to sell their homes this summer. Liv Conlon, 26, originally from Glasgow, runs an award-winning property staging business that furnishes over 400 homes a year to make them more appealing to potential buyers, as well as StagerBoss - a coaching business that teaches other women how to do the same. This summer, experts are predicting a summertime boom with increased interest from potential buyers, Liv explained, adding that property prices are also expected to rise. However, she added, 'This doesn't mean your house sale is guaranteed - nor that you'll be able to sell it at the fee you want for it, or even above. 'As the CEO of a multi-award-winning property staging business, ThePropertyStagers, this is where my expertise comes in. I've helped thousands of homeowners sell their homes faster and for above the asking price. 'Whether you have a sprawling garden or a cosy top-floor flat with no outdoor space, summer is the season to make the most of your entire home. 'This doesn't have to mean expensive renovations or a full décor overhaul. Sometimes, small, inexpensive changes can have the biggest impact.' As such, Liv, who now lives in Marbella, has shared her top ten affordable furnishing tips that might help a home stand out from the crowd. First, property expert Liv advised sellers to switch up soft furnishings inside the home. She said, 'One of the quickest ways to signal a new season is with your textiles. Swap heavy throws and dark cushions for lighter, brighter options. 'Think jewel-toned velvets for a bold look or soft lavenders, pale greens, and sunshine yellows for a subtler summer palette. Lightweight linen or cotton fabrics also keep your space feeling breezy and fresh.' Next, she said seasonal tableware can make a world of a difference in creating a summer haven. 'You don't need a garden to embrace alfresco vibes,' she said, adding, 'Treat yourself to colourful outdoor-style tableware - melamine plates, acrylic tumblers, or bamboo salad bowls - that feel fun, casual, and summery. 'Lay your table with a vibrant runner, some woven placemats and enjoy meals that feel like mini holidays.' Liv also said that adding fresh or faux flowers in every room can help attract potential buyers. She said, 'Flowers are the ultimate seasonal refresh. Dot fresh blooms around your home - in the hallway, on coffee tables, even the bathroom. She urged those looking to sell their homes to refresh their furnishings to help attract potential buyers 'If you're on a budget or want longevity, high-quality faux stems can have the same uplifting effect and last all summer long.' Liv's fourth tip was to alter the scent of the home depending on the season, adding that it's a 'powerful' tool. She said, 'Swap out woody or spiced winter candles for fresh citrus, coconut, sea salt or fig-inspired fragrances. 'A diffuser or a few scented tealights in summery notes can subtly transform the atmosphere of your space.' Liv's next tip explained the importance of using mirrors to reflect natural light during the summertime. She said, 'Summer is all about sunshine. Reflect more natural light by adding mirrors to darker corners, or repositioning existing ones to catch the morning or evening light. 'You could even pick up inexpensive stick-on mirror tiles to create a bespoke reflective feature wall.' Liv also provided five tips that might help improve the appearance of outdoor space, including refreshing outdoor cushions. She said, 'Outdoor cushions take a beating in the elements, so if yours are faded or stained, it's time for a quick revamp. 'Look for affordable cushion covers in bold stripes, tropical prints, or Mediterranean-inspired patterns. Even a new set of ties or trims can make existing cushions feel brand new.' Liv added that colourful glassware can also help draw positive attention. 'Whether it's a balcony, a courtyard, or a full patio, adding a splash of colour to your outdoor dining setup goes a long way. 'Think coloured glass tumblers, carafes, or even mismatched vintage finds. They sparkle in the sunlight and create an instant sense of celebration. Next, Liv added some simple steps to help homeowners revive tired outdoor furniture without having to splash out on new items. She said, 'A quick scrub-down with soapy water, a coat of spray paint in a bold hue, or a wood stain refresher can make old chairs or benches look brand new. Add a throw or outdoor blanket to soften the space.' Liv also advised homeowners to introduce solar lighting. She said, 'Create evening magic with inexpensive solar lanterns, string lights or LED tea lights. 'Line a path, hang lights in a tree, or dot them around your balcony railing. They're budget-friendly, eco-conscious and they extend your summer evenings outdoors. The property expert's last piece of advice was for homeowners to 'plant with personality'. She said, 'If you don't have a garden, try window boxes, balcony pots, or even a vertical planter. 'Look for bright flowers like geraniums, petunias, or marigolds - or go for herbs like basil and mint that are both beautiful and practical. Upcycle old tins or baskets into quirky planters for added charm. 'Summer is about creating spaces that invite you to relax, unwind and enjoy. Whether you're sipping spritzers on a patio or lounging under a fan in a studio flat, these simple updates can breathe fresh life into your home.
The Sun
18-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
10 summer energy bill checks that you need to do NOW to save hundreds
HOUSEHOLDS can make the most of warmer temperatures and longer days to slash the cost of energy bills. There are a host of tricks to cut costs over summer months and some won't cost you a penny. 1 From keeping curtains closed to switching to LED light bulbs and reducing your shower times, you could save a bundle. Here are 10 checks to make now to save you money over the summer - combined, they could help you claw back £308. Close your curtains - £27 Closing your curtains on hotter days will keep your home cool and means you won't have to use an electrical fan. Fan running costs vary but can range between 1p and 3p per hour. It might not seem like a lot, but if you are running a fan for 10 hours a day across June, July and August (92 days), you're looking at spending around £27.60. Meanwhile, closing your curtains costs nothing and can be done in a matter of seconds. Open windows and internal doors to let natural ventilation flow through your home and keep temperatures down too. If you can, make sure to open them on opposite sides of the home as well as this will encourage better air flow. From TV to energy... tips to save you money on 7 bills that are going up in April Switch off lights and swap to LED - £7.50 Switching off lights after leaving any room is a quick and easy way of cutting energy bills over the summer. Not just that, but the type of light bulbs you use can have a big impact on how much you pay overall. The Energy Saving Trust says you can save up to £3 per year for every traditional halogen bulb you switch to an LED bulb. Swap out 10 lightbulbs in your home and that's £30 a year, or £7.50 over three months. You'll have to front up the cost of the new bulbs first, but will end up making major savings over time. Invest in solar lights outside and you can also make the most of all the sunlight over the warmer months and trim down your electric bill. They don't have to cost a bomb either. At the time of writing, Home Bargains offers solar lights starting from £1.49. Outdoor LED lights that run off mains don't cost much to run, but the running costs for solar lights are nil so you're saving at least something. Defrost your freezer - £37 Ice building up in your freezer means the appliance has to work harder to keep temperatures down, in turn driving up your energy bill. So, check yours to see if it needs defrosting. Not only will it keep your costs down, you'll have more space to fit extra bits of food in there too. If you don't defrost your freezer regularly, experts previously estimated it can cost you as much as £150 extra a year - £37.50 over three months. Most experts say you should defrost your freezer once or twice a year, so for the sake of a few minutes' work, the savings are well worth it. Dry smart - £46 How you dry your clothes can have a massive impact on your energy bills. You'll definitely want to swerve using a tumble dryer as these cost 97p per hour to run, according to Uswitch. Instead, hang your bits on a clothes line or airer outside and let the sun do all the work. Based on two two-hour washes a week over 12 weeks in the summer, that makes for a hefty saving of £46.56. Even if you don't have an outside area, you can still use an airer inside and put it near the window to catch any rays. Slash your shower time - £15 One quick way to pay less on your water and energy bills is to slash your shower time. The Energy Saving Trust estimates keeping your shower time to just four minutes can save you £60 a year on your energy bills - or £15 across June, July and August. Steer clear of baths too as these cost more than having a quick shower. Lower your washing machine temperature - £6 Washing your clothes at the right temperature ensures any pesky stains and smells are removed, but you don't have to crank up the heat. Washing clothes on a 30°C cycle will do the job just fine and could save you up to £24 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust - £6 over the summer. Try reducing your washing machine use by one run per week by combining loads too. Turn off 'vampire' devices - £29 So-called "vampire" devices churn through energy when left in standby mode so are worth switching off to cut costs. Some are worse than others but TV boxes, smart TVs and Wi-Fi routers are the worst culprits. It might seem like a tiny thing to do, but the savings can add up fast. Switching off all your vampire appliances can save you around £118 a year - or £29.50 in the three months between June and August. Put your boiler into 'summer mode' - £80 Most boilers have a summer setting which means you can turn off the central heating and still get hot water on demand. The button to trigger the summer mode should be easy to spot - sometimes it's a sun symbol. Activating summer mode could save you around 10% on your annual bill in the three months over the summer as well, Nicolas and James Auckland from Trade Radiators previously told The Sun. Uswitch says the average gas bill in the UK is around £800, meaning a saving of around £80 just by flicking a switch. Get your boiler serviced - £60 Spring might just be the best time to get your boiler serviced - and it could save you money in the long run. Checkatrade says the average cost of getting a boiler serviced is around £100. However, having it checked over will ensure everything is running smoothly and you won't have to call out for an emergency plumber. Checkatrade says the average cost of calling out an emergency plumber is around £110 with their hourly rate £50. That means getting a boiler service in could save you £60. What energy bill help is available? There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by. If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter. This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period. If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don't think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal. Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills. But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances. For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000. British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund. You don't need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund. EDF, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too. Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR). The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill. Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you're struggling. Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
