Sustainable decoration is a phrase that may be lost on some of us, but being environmentally conscious and eco-friendly should always include our immediate surroundings — our home. It’s easy to think that going eco-friendly at home means sacrificing your preferred decor style, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Whether you’re moving soon or staying put, the planet will thank you. An eco-friendly home means you’ll be supporting sustainable businesses with good intentions, improving you and your family’s health, and boosting your mental and physical health. 1. Use Natural Wallpaper and Eco Murals Eco-murals are just one of many alternative options when it comes to wall decor. These items are printed using non-toxic, water-based latex. This means you’ll be breathing in better air. Companies that create these items aim towards increasing sustainable forestry. Fewer chemicals and less destruction of our natural greenery and wildlife means a happier earth. 2. Indulge in Vintage Goods Vintage items will never go out of style. Plus, they allow you to do the bare minimum when it comes to going eco-friendly — recycle. Typically, you can get vintage items for a low cost, too. If you are one of those who prefer the distressed vintage look, you also have the option to peruse the internet on sites like Ebay and others to find what you like. 3. Add Houseplants to Your Home House plants fight against pollutants and chemicals that linger as a result of other items in your home. Furthermore, they’re an inexpensive way to increase the level of oxygen in your space. 4. Repurpose Items from Your Home Some of us are more DIY-inclined than others, but all of us feel a sense of pride when we create new items that we can actually use. Keep this in mind as you rummage through old stuff to give them new functions. Repurposing means less trash and more imagination. Of course, the web is littered with ways you can recreate and redecorate various items lying around your home. This practice further adds personality to your space. 5. Go with Wood for Shelving Wooden decor is as timeless as it is beautiful. Using reclaimed wood to decorate your home is also one of the easiest ways to be sustainable. There are a number of means to reuse wood. 6. Embrace Natural Fibers There’s a growing appreciation for natural fibers as people become more conscious. Linen, sisal, raffia, cotton, bamboo, wool, and wicker are all great options for chairs, tables, beds, and other furniture pieces. Natural fiber items aren’t just gorgeous, they also tend to be more durable and give better airflow. Furthermore, the production of these is much less detrimental to our planet. 7. Use Low Consumption Bulbs and Solar Panels A long-touted way to be eco-friendly is by considering lighting carefully. Not only are low-energy bulbs cheaper, but they’re more sustainable and often less harmful to your eyesight. Additionally, some Canadian companies push forth the use of solar panels while building new homes. One such company makes sure to include six solar panels in every home they build from 2019. 8. Use Non-Toxic Paint These days, there’s no excuse for using chemical-ridden, synthetic paints. There are tons of eco-friendly options out there that come in an extensive variety of colors. The old way would see you breathing in volatile organic compounds, or “VOCs,” which pose a risk to the environment as well as your family. These reportedly increase allergens, so it’s best to avoid them. Final Thoughts There are other ways to be eco-friendly when you’re working on decorating your home. You could donate, and help others practice repurposing and sustainability as well. As much as you can, you should lose the plastic that’s in your home. Alternatives include glass and paper bags. Whatever you do, remember to reduce, reuse, and recycle. More and more, environmental-friendliness when it comes to home decor is turning into a viable option from every angle. If you’re moving, make sure to keep your eco-friendly options in mind as you stay ahead of the curve.
8 Common Moving Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Depending on where you are in life, moving can be exciting and life-changing. It’s always scary, but you’re still looking forward to what’s on the other side. One survey reports that Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan are the three fastest-growing provinces in the country. The urban agglomeration of Calgary is the fastest-growing of its kind. So most of our population is happy to move. If you’re not in that category, you’re probably like many other people who see moving as a hassle, a big expense, and a time sucker. We can help you avoid most of the stress of moving. However, there are still some mistakes you should be on the lookout for: 1. Not making enough time to pack If you’re a last-minute packer when it comes to traveling, chances are you may put off packing to move, too. There’s a full guarantee you’ll end up regretting it. Humans tend to believe they can get more done in less time. What we like to forget is that distractions are often welcomed during unappealing tasks — like packing. Additionally, delicate items will take longer to pack than others, sometimes a whole day longer. Avoid by: Give yourself a realistic timeline to figure out what rooms you’ll pack on which days. A one-bedroom home takes as much as two days to pack, a two-bedroom takes two days, and so on. 2. Making too much time to pack Who isn’t guilty of packing items, only to find that you have to take them out right away. Not to lower your excitement, but know that you’ll give yourself double the workload when you start packing too far in advance. Plus, you’ll have boxes all over, and who wants that? Avoid by: Use the prescribed timeline above. Control your anticipation to move. Before you know it you’ll be settled into your new home so don’t rush. 3. Trying to do it all by yourself It’s one thing to pack boxes, and it’s another to load them into a moving truck or whatever vehicle you use to relocate. Your health, expenses, and not to mention the very items you hold dear could take a blow if you try a DIY move. Think about fuel costs and potentially dropping your goods. Of course it’s not planned, but things tend to happen when you try to carry items you possibly never have before. Also, is your back really up to the task? Avoid by: Research and hire professional movers to make sure you avoid health and safety risks. In the end, you could save more money. Additionally, you won’t end up going straight to bed to rest instead of enjoying your new home. 4. Not making a checklist If you want to feel good about your move, make sure you go about it in an organized fashion. That means making to-dos for all crucial tasks. It keeps you focused and manages your time. Avoid by: Prepare a checklist (and stick to it). This gives you a sense of accomplishment every time you cross something off. That feeling is a huge stress-reliever in any situation — but especially when moving. 5. Not taking inventory Another essential moving tip to stay organized is to take inventory. The last thing you want is to have to rummage through boxes after you’re in your new home. You already have to unpack for each room. Avoid by: While packing, prepare a list of the items in each box. Give each box a number and label which room they go in. When the movers come in, cross off the boxes on your list. Do the same when they’re unpacking. 6. Not packing an essentials bag If you pack without thinking about the first few days in your new home, you’re asking for a headache. While it’s wise to take inventory, you still won’t be fully prepared if something happens. Avoid by: You’re going to want to use a duffel bag or suitcase to separate those items that you use daily as well as stuff you might need for an emergency. Things like toiletries, chargers, documents, medications. 7. Continuing to hoard You don’t have to be a diagnosed hoarder to feel the effects of it on moving day. If you’ve been collecting junk, it’s going to take longer to move, and could cost you more labor or fuel. Avoid by: Packing is a great time to declutter, donate, and recycle items you no longer need. A lot of things can be completely thrown away, too. The liberation you’ll get is all part of the moving journey. 8. Not getting the right insurance You don’t want to suffer unnecessary loss both in money and with your possessions. While finding a reputable company is a must — and using bubble wrap crucial — unpredicted events can and do happen. Your moving company will likely have insurance — but up to a point. Chances are, you won’t get back the amount that you think your items are worth. Avoid by: Ask your moving company about their insurance. In addition, look into the best liability coverage for your personal needs. Finally, do research about who pays if a mover gets injured while on the job. The best way to make moving easier is to plan ahead and be aware of what could happen. Don’t burden yourself any more than you have to. And, most of all, expect the unexpected.
A 3-Step Cheat Sheet to Downsizing your Office
Circumstances don’t make a person. Likewise, office size doesn’t make a successful business. In the modern world, there are about a million ways technology plays a greater role than the physical space we work in. Remote workers, high rent, and economic changes are all reasons you may want to downsize. If you decide to do so, it should be done the right way. It may even lead to more productivity for reasons we’ll touch on below. But first, let’s start at the beginning. 1. Preparing to win Plan ahead and set goals If you manage your business all by yourself — that’s great. You don’t have to refer to anyone else for decision-making. However, DO make decisions early — and that’s with or without a team. Additionally, ensure you set concrete goals that are in line with your company’s goals, values, and anything else that could be affected by the move. Discern your office needs You know you’re going smaller but how much smaller exactly? Figure out what your office requires in anticipation of the change. Is smaller equipment an option? Would you be better off using electronic storage? What type of layout suits your employees? — We’ll go more into detail on that one later. For now, just be clear on your workspace must-haves. Get help from the professionals If you have the means to do so, allow an expert step in to help with packing, storage, and moving your office to its new location (Relocate Stress-Free are pros here). Know your purpose and act on it Be aware of what specific purpose all parts of your office serve. A more limited space does not have to mean less efficiency. On the same note, use multi-purpose supplies and furniture to make the most out of space. 2. Doing the work Organize with intent The groundwork for moving goes in a similar fashion to planning. Conscious organization is key. When packing boxes, remember to use simple but effective labels so you won’t be lost when unpacking. Rent a storage unit Renting a space to keep important items will probably work out in your best interest. There are lots of options available, but we’d recommend Crate it Storage here for many reasons. As needed, be sure to inform your storage company of the labels for the boxes. Also, don’t hesitate to force yourself to donate or — as appropriate — throw away what you don’t need. Get rid of some furniture Similarly, feel free to rid yourself of too large or unnecessary furniture taking up space. Yes, that lounge chair is the most gorgeous thing on the floor, but if you don’t allow your employees to take naps on it — and you probably should — then consider getting rid of it. Go vertical or go home Before we talk about telecommuting, let’s discuss even more space maximization which you can achieve by using vertical furniture instead of traditional horizontal pieces. We’re talking desk-top shelves and otherwise spending practices. Employ interior design expertise If you don’t spend money on any other expertise… well, who can blame you? HGTV has made an interior designer of us all. But for real, employing a professional can make a huge difference. Meanwhile, we advise the use of light-colored paint and large mirrors to give your office the illusion of spaciousness. Sometimes, the illusion is as good as reality, so just enjoy the magic. 3. Boosting productivity Consider remote work You won’t miss your large conference room if you make use of telecommuting with your employees. Consider the use of virtual conference meetings, or, you can even rent a hotel conference room if meetings are irregular. In 2019, there’s an endless range of options for meetings online. Plus, more organizations than ever are granting flexibility through remote work and guess what — at least one study showed that workers were more productive. Enjoy a physical connection Of course, this all has to do with how well you carry out such a plan. In the meantime, feel free to encourage your staff to embrace the physical closeness they are now succumbed to. They’ll bounce into each other more often, and this will lead to a greater sense of community and increased creativity as good vibes and shared focus is exchanged. Don’t forget work-life balance Always keep in mind that employees exist outside of work just like you do. A happy wife makes a happy life, right? Well, a fulfilled employee makes, well, an engaged and productive one. One disclaimer though: Nothing can be guaranteed to fix your human resource problems except modern behavioral experts. However, we hope that the above can help conquer your business’ downsizing battle with ease and perhaps leave you better off than when you had that big fancy office.
Our Top 5 Tips For Moving In The Fall
The fall is a busy time of the year. Getting back into a normal routine after the summer can be stressful and exhausting as it is, never mind if you’re trying to move too. Moving in the fall has its perks and its negatives just like any other time of the year. To make the most of your move in the fall and ensure a smooth transition, take a look at these tips. Declutter from the Summer You may have clothing items, swimwear, beach gear, outdoor furniture, toys and other items that are on their last legs. Instead of wasting space packing these items and moving them just to throw them away next year, discard them now. If there are items in good shape that you know you won’t use, donate them and ditch the items that are a little worse for wear. It’s always a good idea to thin your wardrobe at the end of each season. Donate items you or your family members never wore, or that you/they don’t like. It will save you a ton of time, space and money! Reconsider Storage Options When living in a place with challenging seasonal weather like we have here in Alberta, consider the benefits of putting some items in storage. Doing so during your move will help keep your moving truck clear of heavy or bulky items that you may not use until spring or summer again. Outdoor furniture, gardening tools, BBQ’s, lawnmowers and more are all common items you can place in storage. Placing items you know you don’t need in storage, saves you time during packing, saves space in the moving truck and makes the unpacking process easier. Pack by the Season Packing seasonal items together makes it easy to find everything you need when you’re on the other end of your move. If you move at the beginning of September you may be dealing with weather very similar to summer but by the time you get settled and totally unpacked it could be cool fall weather. Packing all your seasonal items ensures everything you need shortly after you move is easily accessible. Setup Utilities in Advance There is nothing worse than getting to your new home on a cool fall day to find that you still need to set up electricity and gas. Getting new accounts setup can take a few days, which is fine if the weather is warm but if not then it can be a chilly few days. Take a few minutes during your packing to make a call to your utility companies and let them know what day you move into your new home. Put Down Plastic When Moving When moving in and out during the fall it’s possible to track in wet leaves, dirt or mud depending on the weather. Setting down plastic in the place you’re moving out of will make the cleanup process easier, ensure that the new buyers are happy with the cleanliness of their new home upon possession, or if you’re renting, makes sure your damage deposit comes back to you. When you are moving to your new place, using plastic will save you clean up time too since unpacking is already so much work as it is. Moving in the fall doesn’t need to be a stressful situation. Relocate Stress Free is here to help if you need assistance packing, moving and unpacking too!
4 Tips on Decluttering and Organizing Your Garage
Is your garage a dumping ground for items? It is easily to accumulate too many items in your garage and now it is time to declutter and organize. Many clients have revealed that organizing a garage may take some time but Relocate Stress Free Inc. stresses it should be a priority on your list to do. Here are 4 tips on decluttering and organizing your garage. 1. Start with Cleaning The first thing that needs to be done is taking the opportunity to clean every surface when you are pulling out items and sorting the garage. 2. Have a Plan You need to have plan on how you want the garage to look when you are completed. Do you want a workshop area or just a storage area? There are many possibilities. 3. Keep Items That Are Used Together to Stay Together The key to keeping your garage tidy is keeping like objects together. For example, in your tool area hang up the tools on hooks and keep srewdrivers in one area etc. If your garage is going to be used for storage then make sure all boxes are labeled and use a shelving unit/ system to easily arrange. 4. Discard/ Donate Items When you are decluttering your garage, remember to go through your items that have not been used or are very old. Any sporting items that you have not used in the past couple years can be donated or discarded. Go through your tools and discard any duplicated or old tools. If you have any old paint or paintbrushes discard them appropriately. Once you have followed the above tips of decluttering and organizing your garage which involved discarding, sorting and donating items, you can now claim the space you had lost. Relocate Stress Free Inc. can help you with decluttering services. Stay tuned for more decluttering tips.
Do you need help handling an Estate? Relocate Stress Free is here to help.
When the unimaginable has happened and a family member or friend has passed, there are many steps in handling their estate. Estates may seem overwhelming but we are here to help you every step of the way. Do you know how to you handle their belongings? Relocate Stress Free assists many families and executors in dealing with these situations. We assign a designated coordinator to handle all of your needs whether it is a small or large estate. The first step is we will meet with you and discuss all your options and the process of sorting the estate belongings. We understand this time is difficult for you and we are there for the entire process from beginning to end. Next our professional crew will assist in packing and sorting the items of the estate. In the sorting process the crew will help you decide where the belongings need to be distributed, whether they need are packed and given to a loved one or sent to an auction or a charity (of your choice or we will assist you with options). Our crew at Relocate Stress Free are experts in sorting, organizing and providing the best value for the dispersal of years of accumulation in the home. After packing, sorting and distributing estate items, our crew will assist in preparing the estate home for sale. Relocate Stress Free will ensure the house is cleaned thoroughly and is prepared for the sale. Relocate Stress Free understands that this can be a difficult and stressful time for clients. As a result, no one should have to do it alone. We will ensure that we handle every situation with complete discretion and in a professional manner. We handle estate services with individual clients, lawyer firms and banking institutions. If you require our services we would be happy to sit down with you to discuss your options.