Roof slope at a glance

• Sloping side walls
• Limited usable area is only partially included in the calculation of living space
• Color effect for visually larger appearance
• In English: “roof sloping”

Here you can see the construction of a smart wardrobe solution for a room with a sloping roof.

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Tips & Tricks – Painting with white paint

Even white paint can be stained and not only if you paint over another color. To make the white walls beautiful and even there are tips to follow to make painting a success. Tips on wallpapering can be found here: ‘How to wallpaper properly’.

Tip 1 – Calculate the ink consumption

Before you start painting, you should first find out how much paint you need to paint the desired area. So that you don’t run out of paint in the middle of painting or have buckets of paint left over, you should measure exactly. There is a simple rule of thumb for this. You calculate the length times the width and multiply the result by the consumption per square meter (is noted on the paint bucket). For example, it looks like this:

4 m x 5 m = 20 sqm
20 sqm x 150 ml/sqm = 3000 ml = 3 litres

You can calculate with this guide value and plan accordingly much paint. Note, however, that the guide values on paint buckets refer to a smooth surface. With woodchip and textured wallpaper, the surface area increases and so does your consumption. Calculate a flat rate of 20 percent more paint, because you prefer to have a little over at the end than to have too little paint.

One factor that is often forgotten is the ceiling. Most do not calculate the area from the beginning, because the effort would then really be too great. However, it is often only when painting and in direct comparison that you notice that the ceiling has a gray haze. The contrast between the wall and the ceiling then suddenly looks completely different and you also have to paint the ceiling. So before buying paint, test whether the ceiling also needs a new coat of paint or not. If this is the case, also include the ceiling area with the formula given, as paint is also used here. Always start by painting the ceiling and then work your way along the walls so that any splashes from painting the ceiling can still be wiped off and do not destroy the fresh paint.

Tip 2 – get all the tools

Of course, before you can start painting, you need to go buy all the utensils. The most important thing is the paint. Because not all white paint is just white paint. There are some differences here as well. Here it comes down to opacity, coverage and wet abrasion resistance. It is important that you really should not save money on paint. The price-performance ratio should be reasonable, but some indicators should have the paint. Ideally, reach for the paint bucket with a high opacity class 1, as this has a high proportion of white pigments. Cheaper rides have less of these pigments, which leads to the fact that they have to paint two or three times. Logically, this infers higher consumption and therefore higher cost. As you can see, it pays to go straight for the higher quality paint bucket. The second quality criterion you should pay attention to is the wet abrasion resistance. This indicates how resistant the paint is to mechanical abrasion. This includes, for example, deviation. Here again, class 1 is the best and represents a real quality criterion.

But what else do you need? Here is the checklist for your shopping at the hardware store:

• Good and high quality wall paint in white (or the desired color)
• Protective materials for covering, such as masking film and masking tape
• A paint roller suitable for the substrate (one for each helper)
• Brush or corner roller for corners and edges
• Stirring rod for mixing the paint (a wooden stick will do)
• Telescopic rod, for higher walls or ceilings
• Scraper grid and paint tray

other helpful utensils that you should find in your household:

• Old, clean preserving jars to store leftover paint
• Sponge or brush to remove dirt from the wall
• Ladder or third board
• Damp cloth to be able to remove paint splashes
• Old clothes that you can wear for painting
• Plastic bag to be able to pack the paint rolls

Tip 3 – prepare your work surface

Once all the utensils are purchased, you should consider the nature of the walls to be painted. After all, not every surface is the same and there are different things to consider. First of all, the surface should always be solid, dry and not chalky. If this is not the case, make sure it is by removing old paint or possibly removing any existing wallpaper. So if your substrate is in the right condition, remove any nails, screws and wall plugs you no longer need from the wall and fill any existing holes with putty. Cracks in the wall should also be scraped up, brushed out and filled. You can recognize chalky surfaces if you run your hand over the wall and a chalky abrasion remains on your hand. If this is the case, rub the surface with a damp sponge. For uneven substrates, it is generally recommended to apply a primer coat before applying the actual paint, otherwise the substrate will reduce the binder and the paint will lose strength. So if the substrate is well prepared, it should also be clean. Typical renovation marks are sawdust or gypsum particles but on an older woodchip wallpaper some dust collects over the years which can cause black spots when painting, as well as cobwebs which should be removed beforehand. Protect yourself against such mishaps by wiping the wall with a clean or new broom and remove these remnants.

Tip 4 – Tape off everything incl. sockets & door frames

The last step before painting can begin is masking. This will not only protect your floor, but also your furniture. To do this, use the foil you bought at the hardware store and bother it with masking tape. Go along the baseboard and attach the film here with masking tape once in the entire room. Furniture is best placed in the middle of the room, over which you can then throw another piece of foil. But also door and window frames should be taped thoroughly, so that no paint gets lost there. Think in this course but also sockets and light switches. These should also be taped with masking tape or removed completely. But you have to be careful here. When you remove the sockets and light switches, first switch off the power by removing the fuse and then test with a phase tester whether there is really no more current. Only then remove the sockets and wrap the insides in a bit of newspaper or tape so you can brush over them.

Tip 5 – the right paint roller & mixing the paint

Now it’s time for the big painting to begin. The most evenly paint with a paint roller. Depending on the given surface, there are different ones that are best suited. There are short and long pile rollers. The short pile rollers are more suitable for smooth substrates, while long pile rollers are ideal for surfaces such as woodchip wallpaper, because you get the paint in every pore.

Before painting, stir the paint well again, preferably with a wooden stirring rod, so that the consistency is correct and settled elements are mixed. The binder is brought in well by the stirring, which is why there are no streaks on the wall.

Tip 6 – Paint edges and corners first

Now the painting can also begin. Start with the difficult small areas. These include corners, edges to ceilings and skirting boards, areas around taped sockets, window and door frames or radiators. Do not paint these areas with a paint roller, as it will become uneven. A flat brush or specially wrapped corner rollers work well for these surfaces. These corner rollers, also called mouses, are small paint rollers that are perfect for such difficult areas. Work on these areas from the top down. Paint these areas only enough so that they do not dry before you start painting the large wall areas, otherwise lugs or irregularities will form.

Tip 7 – Moisten the paint roller with a wiping grid and paint tray

Before you simply go into the paint bucket with the roller, remember that you can achieve a more even result by wetting the roller than with a dry one. To do this, hold the roller under water and drench it evenly. Afterwards, wring out the roll thoroughly. Wrap the roll in a towel and beat the roll vigorously several times so that not too much moisture remains in it. If the roller is too wet, the paint may run down the wall because it is too diluted and the result will be uneven and watery. Moistening ensures that the roller absorbs the paint regularly and thus ensures a consistent painting result.

After moistening the roller, dip it into the paint bucket. Afterwards, do not forget to roll the roller along the wiping grid. This not only distributes the paint better on the roller, but also removes excess paint. This makes it easier for you to paint, as the roller is easier to use and you don’t get a lot of paint on the wall at once. An even application of paint is therefore guaranteed. For smaller jobs and hard-to-reach places, a paint tray is ideal, in which you can fill a small amount of paint and you can use more easily.

Tip 8 – start painting

When painting, it is very important how exactly you paint. Always work with the incidence of light and always start the paint application at the window. This prevents that approaches become visible afterwards and disturb the wall picture. Enough paint on the roller and always painting wet-on-wet will avoid marks that would normally be visible if the light fell at an angle. Always apply the paint vertically to the wall in two to three times the width of the roller, using M or W movements, spreading the paint evenly and rolling it horizontally without applying too much pressure. Remember to always paint into a piece of damp wall to make transitions regular. If there are irregular spots or stains, touch them up or paint over them a second time.

Tip 9 – make sure the work is clean

Even the best master painter sometimes misses a blob of paint. It is important to remove the stain as quickly as possible, because once the paint has dried, it is difficult to remove it again. Ideally, you have covered everything properly with foil and the stain is only on the foil. But if it does land on carpet or parcel flooring, you have to be quick. In the case of a carpet, you should remove the stain quickly with a damp cloth. It is best to dab and not wipe, as this could only make the stain worse. On parquet, paint can usually be wiped off quickly. If you notice the stain after the fact, it’s best to remove it from the hardwood flooring with a flat tool like a spade, and the paint will usually just flake off. If a blob does go on the vinyl, make sure before you leave that you don’t have paint on your shoes / socks / feet from accidentally stepping in it. Such paint can spread quickly through your steps in other rooms and you do not want that.

Tip 10 – Allow paint to dry

Once you have finished painting, you should leave the paint to dry in peace. It is best to open the windows and give the paint enough time to dry. Normally, it takes about 24 hours for paint to dry completely. Airing out the windows helps the paint to dry faster and has the positive side effect that the scents of the paint quickly leave the room and do not give you a headache.

Tip 11 – Store residual paint correctly

If there is any paint left over, you can store it for later improvements. It is best not to do this in the original packaging, but transfer the paint into clean canning jars, seal this tightly and store in a dark place. Wall paint does not last indefinitely, however. Paint also spoils after some time and then cannot be used any further. On the packaging of the paint, however, the general shelf life is always indicated. Spoiled paint can be disposed of at your local hazardous waste collection point and dried paint residues can simply be disposed of in the residual waste. Disposal instructions can also be found on the product packaging of the products used.

Move stress-free and enjoy the new property to the fullest

Most think of stress-free moving directly to moving companies and of course this is also a good method to keep the stress of moving as low as possible. However, this is usually associated with high costs and even with moving companies sometimes one or the other goes wrong. Especially if the new property, new furniture, the renovations, etc. have already devoured a lot of money, many would like to take the move into their own hands. To do everything right, to go well planned and thus save money, time and nerves, here are some tips & tricks for stress-free moving.

More tips? The 3-part special on the subject of moving:

1. Part – Moving Checklist: Moving, Schedule & Packing
2. Part – Moving Tips: Moving house & apartment without stress
3. Part – Moving in & congratulations: The most beautiful sayings

Sorting out – what has to go, has to go

Once the contracts are signed and the new property is officially yours, you should start packing & planning. First and foremost on your checklist, however, should be decluttering. Moving is the perfect opportunity to separate old from new and get rid of the stuff that is just lying around anyway. Start with the attic/basement so that in your new property, the same boxes don’t just disappear back into storage and never get touched again. But things like your wardrobe, storage cupboard, kitchen or even decorative items should also be thoroughly decluttered. Don’t be afraid to sort things out and maybe give them away, sell something at the flea market or donate something to charities or the Ark.

Packing boxes – organisation is the be-all and end-all

Many take packing boxes lightly, but it is a lot of work and requires good organization. This is where you lay the first building block for a stress-free move. Pack boxes systematically according to the rooms in the new property. For example, pack everything that belongs in the future bedroom – even if the items are not in the bedroom in your current property – into boxes and label them not only with ‘bedroom’ but also with the contents of the box. During the move itself, the helpers will then know exactly which box belongs in which room and you will know immediately what is in the box and where it belongs when you unpack. This way, no things get lost or you have to search for specific things. The better you pack the boxes, the easier it will be to unpack them later, too. Be especially careful not to pack the boxes too heavy. No more than 20 kilos should a box weigh, because such a weight will not only be hard to carry, but can also be too much for the box and it can crack. Pack heavy items down and distribute the weight evenly throughout the crate. Cushion fragile items well to prevent loss. Simple newspaper already helps keep glasses or dishes from breaking. You should also pack liquids that could leak well to avoid nasty surprises.

Get the moving boxes early enough and start packing as early as you can, because then you won’t get into any unnecessary stress later on. Moving boxes can be bought as well as rented, because if you’re honest, you probably won’t need that many boxes anytime soon. Removal companies hire out boxes, but there are also some deals online. How many boxes are needed depends on a wide variety of factors. There is a rule of thumb to approximate the number needed. Accordingly, you should plan for a WG room about 10-15 boxes, for a small 1-2 room apartment about 30 boxes and for a larger household with several people is calculated 20-25 boxes per person.

Once you have received the key to your new property, it is worth gradually moving boxes into the new property before you move in order to keep the moving effort to a minimum. Boxes for the basement or the attic, or simply things you don’t need in your day-to-day life. Not only will this reduce the amount of work you have to do on the move, but you’ll also avoid stress by getting a lot done in advance. Also, remember to put the most important everyday items in a separate box, as you might need them right away in the new property. So mark this particular box well so that you have tools, cleaning supplies or a torch immediately to hand.

Organize helpers – provide movers or friends

Of course, a moving company is definitely a good option to have the move done, however, it is very costly among other things. The other option is to hire helpers to carry out the move with you. Mostly friends, acquaintances or family members offer themselves here, to whom a pizza in the evening is enough as payment. Make sure you have enough helpers and also plan for some with a lot of strength. Boxes are one thing, but furniture can quickly become a challenge and require a few strong hands. It’s best to ask your friends and family directly once the moving date is set, as helpers may need to take a day off or request leave. To avoid as much stress as possible on moving day itself, make sure you schedule your movers well in advance. Who will drive the van? Who will carry boxes and cartons? Who will assemble the furniture? Who will look after the children and who will take care of the catering? Form teams and work as such. Organize enough drinking water for everyone in advance and also the catering should be right to keep your helpers happy.

Organize also the transporter early enough, so that you do not stand afterwards with empty hands. It is worthwhile to pick up the transporter one day before the move and to make some test rounds, because such transporters drive differently than normal cars. Also make sure that you have the necessary driving licence to be able to drive such a van. Often vans are cheaper during the week than at the weekend and many movers also offer special vans for rent, with packing blankets, straps or moving boxes.

Pre-organization – all the little things you need to think about during a move

One point that is often forgotten are the little things that need to be organized in advance. This includes, for example, organizing the no stopping sign for the moving day. A sufficiently large parking space in front of the old and the new property is essential. This way you avoid a lot of stress with the search for a parking space or possibly also with the public order office. You will need to apply for this at the relevant road traffic office, local authority or district council office. You may have to collect, put up and take away the signs yourself, so be sure to ask how the organisation works. You will usually need to apply for this 7-14 days before your moving date. There are also costs involved, which you should calculate and which vary from city to city. Other little things you need to think about are the dates for handing over the old apartment keys, applying for the post to be forwarded, making an appointment to re-register with the local authorities, taking the meter readings for electricity, gas and water in both properties, and so on. To make sure you don’t forget anything, here is a checklist of the most important things to organise before you move.

Moving checklist – so that you don’t forget anything during the move

• Clear out and clean out apartment / house
• Get moving boxes
• Plan the interior of the new apartment
• Buy new furniture early enough and pay attention to delivery times
• Request leave for the move
• Renovation work in the new and old apartment
• Plan the moving date realistically
• Organize removal helpers
• Organize dates for the transfer of the old apartment
• Inform the authorities, health insurance companies, banks, insurance companies, etc. of your new address.
• Apply for mail forwarding ( 2-3 weeks before moving date)
• Rent a van / moving company
• Apply for no-stopping zones in front of the old and new home
• Organize babysitter for children / pets
• Get packing material, such as newspaper, bubble wrap, packing blankets, etc.
• Assemble toolbox
• Defrost freezers / refrigerators in good time
• Organize catering for removal workers
• Inform neighbours about the move ( new and old )
• Cleaning the old and new apartment
• Check the staircase for possible damage before the move and document this damage.
• Request an appointment at the registration office
• Car reregistration
• Record meter readings for electricity, gas and water in the old and new apartment

More tips? The 3-part special on the subject of moving:

1. Part – Moving Checklist: Moving, Schedule & Packing
2. Part – Moving Tips: Moving house & apartment without stress
3. Part – Moving in & congratulations: The most beautiful sayings

A tidy children’s room – less stress, more order and fun for the family

Of course children should be able to play and make messes, however it is an important part of parenting to show them that you need to clean up the mess as well. To save you a lot of stress, a well-structured nursery will help keep things tidy and create a great feel-good zone for your kids. To find out how they can make the rest of the house look great, click here: ‘Interior design for your dream property‘.

Tip 1 – Take your time and don’t set everything up during pregnancy

Of course, pregnancy is an exciting experience and some expectant mothers are said to have a so-called “nest building instinct”. Of course, you already want to buy everything for their child and well organized welcome the new family member in your family, however, such early furnished nursery often lead to bad purchases. You should always approach the situation slowly. Being well organized and getting the most important things before the baby arrives is more than sensible. A cot for the parental bed, a changing area, some clothes, nappies or the first cuddly toy are sensible investments, apart from a good night’s sleep for the parents-to-be. However, things like a wardrobe, a crib or a play blanket and/or bow are premature purchases. It’s better to take your time and wait until you can assess what your family’s needs really are. Every baby is different and needs different things. You will only find out what is right for your child when you get to know him or her. So wait and be patient. Everything comes with time.

Tip 2 – Set up a child-friendly filing system

If you expect your child to keep their room tidy, you need to make it possible for them to do so. Storage space should not be out of the child’s reach, drawers or doors should be easy to move so that the child can easily keep order. One box for Playmobiles, one for Legos, one for craft supplies and pencils. These boxes are best very easy to stow away on a shelf at the child’s height. So your child always knows directly where what belongs and can easily keep order. Arguments about tidying up the room are avoided. Make it as easy as possible for your child, then it will playfully learn how simple order can be.

Tip 3 – Adjust the colors

A common misconception that prevails is that brightly colored wall colors are appropriate for children. Every child develops his own preferences to colors and patterns with the time whether now pink, blue, green or red. But just because of this, you should not directly wrap the whole children’s room in this color. This is not only overloaded but also oppressive and brings your child no fun. It is best to look for a colour together with your child and to give the room its own charm with colour accents and accessories. There is nothing wrong with a white wall. Paint the wall together with your child, it makes them proud and they learn something at the same time.

Tip 4 – Use furniture that grows with you

For each developmental step of the children to buy a completely new furniture and banish them after a few months in the basement would be not only a waste of money but also unnecessary waste of storage space. Fortunately there is a solution for this problem. Whether it’s the well-known ‘Tripp Trapp’ chair, which is even suitable for babies with various attachments and can be used up to school age, or children’s beds, which can later be used as a desk or bench. Even the changing table can be easily converted. After the little ones have successfuly completed toilet training, the top can be removed and the changing table transforms into a normal chest of drawers with plenty of storage space. Other beds come with a conversion kit that turns a cot into a bed for children up to 6 years old. So great techniques allow multiple use of the furniture, which is not only sustainable, but also saves your wallet.

Tip 5 – Don’t get hung up on trends

Even if your children have a great role model or are a fan of heroes such as the Ice Queen, Cars, Captain Sharky, Fireman Sam or Bibi & Tina, this does not mean that the entire children’s room must be immediately flooded with them. After all, these heroes only have a limited survival period and so toys, wallpaper, pieces of furniture, bed linen or other fan articles quickly become disposable. So that parents do not have to redesign the entire children’s room again every par months, agree with your child on products such as dolls, books or printed pillows of the heroes, but not as a wall or furniture surface.

Tip 6 – Furnish in a way that is suitable for children and not too grown up

The mistake: Everything is so beautifuly puristic here! Plus a rug in non-colors and nicely arranged stuffed animals made of off-white crochet yarn on a tasteful bedspread. The solution: Everyone knows about Instagram kids’ rooms. Rooms in which things are so tasteful that you can already doubt your own “living style education” at home when you look at the plastic-colored chaos of children. But: portals like Instagram and Pinterest don’t depict reality, but nicely arranged living utopias. You can emulate them, but you shouldn’t take them too seriously. What’s more, children should also be allowed the freedom to develop their own taste in interior design. If, in the end, a compromise is found between the wishes of the child and those of the adults, both sides will have come a great deal closer to family peace.

Tip 7 – Do not forget the shutters

Of course, everyone wants a light-flooded children’s room for the children, so that a lot of daylight comes into the room, the sun also shines in once and the children are not only illuminated with lamps. However, there is a problem here that should definitely be taken into account. Because anyone who has ever wanted to get a baby or toddler to take a nap in a room flooded with light knows what it’s all about. For as important as daylight may be in every corner of the room, it is imperative to take care of proper and, above all, effective blackout. If the room does not have built-in shutters ready, you should install opaque curtains, folding shutters or blinds. This will not only ensure the well-being of your child, but also a good night’s sleep for you.

Tip 8 – Set up cuddle corners and retreats

A child’s room should consist of more than just a bed, a shelf, a painting table or desk and a cupboard. Because children also need their retreats and a place to cuddle up to simply play with toys in peace, flip through a book or dream. A small corner in the children’s room in which your child can retreat can be, for example, a small indoor tent, a pile of pillows with a canopy or a small sofa. Here your children can also play with others, hide and simply feel comfortable.

Tip 9 – Modern carpets do not belong in the children’s room

The topic of flooring in the children’s room is not so simple. An opulent flokati is not exactly suitable, but also a large colorful children’s carpet is not necessarily the best choice. Here, you should think in practical terms, because a cup of juice can easily fall over, felt tip pens can be left lying around or dirty shoes can mess up the carpet. So less is definitely more here and especially easy to clean. You won’t go wrong with a short-pile carpet in subtle colours. Avoid bright colours and make sure it is easy to clean. This will save you headaches and expensive bills from cleaning.

Tip 10 – A desk is a must

Not only school children should have a desk in their room, but younger children can also make good use of a workstation. They not only learn to work at a desk, but can also paint, do handicrafts or play there in peace. But a desk should be available at the latest when children start school, because they need to be able to do their homework at home, work and learn in peace. The dining table will not be able to serve as a substitute forever, as you will also need it for guests or appointments from time to time and it is important that your child learns to work in a structured way at its own place.

Tip 11 – The right bed for the right age

As mentioned in tip 4, there are great beds that grow with your child. However, even these alternatives only help for a certain time and sooner or later your child will need a new bed. Often the question of loft bed or normal bed arises here and you should also think through this decision well. On the one hand, loft beds have the advantage of being enormously space-saving and also offer space for two siblings in smaller rooms in the bunk bed variant. However, you should correctly assess the abilities of your children and a loft bed is not without. Being able to safely climb in and out of bed is a challenge for some. Some children are not able to climb the loft bed without danger until they are five years old. So to avoid injury, make sure your child is up to the bed and perhaps help with a net or grid to prevent nighttime falls.

Tip 12 – Cosy light for the feel-good atmosphere

Of course, a ceiling light is necessary, but it should not be the only light source in the room. It looks alone namely quickly sterile and not very cozy. In the other rooms of the apartment you also observe this principle, so why not in the children’s room. Several small light sources in addition to the ceiling lamp give the room depth and coziness and you get a great atmosphere. A desk light so that your child can draw, craft, write or do a puzzle in perfect light. A night light that makes monsters disappear under the bed but also a wall lamp has its own charm and saves space.

Tip 13 – Use mobile organizers

All the toys, crafting tools and co are always in the living room, although they actually have their place in the children’s room? This may sound familiar to some, but there is a great solution to avoid the daily wandering of Lego set and attachment. Portable organizers, can be worth their weight in gold for you. This can be a nice fabric box, a basket or a pretty box. After playing, everything can be quickly collected in there and in no time at all everything is back in place until the game starts all over again the next day. Little tricks that can help you and your child make playing even more fun!