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If you have a garage in Toronto, you are among those fortunate enough to have space to park your car. If you are like a large number of families out there, your garage is your dumping ground and rarely used for actually parking your car. However, you can change that with a clear mission of how to use the space you have.

One of the main reasons that people tend to ignore their garages and use them for storage is because they are rarely finished properly. Usually they have drywall up with concrete flooring. Occasionally the walls with be damaged through the years making the whole atmosphere that much more uninviting. Hence the first thing to do in your attempt to organize your garage is to properly finish it. Paint the walls to brighten the space and use an epoxy on the floor to make it easier to clean and maintain.

Next, figure out dedicated spots for everything you need to store in your garage. If you have a lot of bulky, seasonal items such as decorations, outdoor furniture or camping gear, consider getting a storage system that hangs from the ceiling. These systems can usually be accessed either through a pulley system or, with the more expensive kind, an electric system that will lower the shelving automatically. You can also invest in shelving that sits high off the floor to free up floor space. Use hooks for hanging bikes and invest in sturdy shelving to organize tools, garden implements and other items usually found in garages.

If you want a workshop, then consider installing a workbench at the back of the garage along with a worktable and use peg board or some of the more sophisticated mounting systems for hanging tools in easy to access places.

Garages are a blessing and a bane – they provide space and storage and a convenient spot for parking. However, they can also be frustrating when they get cluttered up. By organizing your garage, you will be able to turn your dumping ground into a usable and convenient space that will enhance your quality of life immensely.

If you are in the market for new appliances there are a few key things to keep in mind to guarantee that you make the right selections.

1. Know what you want
Although this might seem self-explanatory, it is actually one of the key sticking points when it comes to making a sound appliance decision. There are so many bells-and-whistles available now from smart-home integrated technology to fashionable colours to professional-grade appliances, knowing what you want will help you eliminate those items that might ratchet up the price with little of no use to you. If you want a fridge with an in-door water dispenser and icemaker, be ready to compromise on the available space for storing your food on the inside as many models keep the ice maker where your top shelf would go. If space is definitely something you prize in a fridge then you might be better off with a model that dispenses water indoor but has the ice maker in the freezer section. It is only by knowing what is indispensable to you and what is a nice-to-have, will you be able to quickly zero-in on the appliances that will truly meet all of your needs.

2. Determine your price and stick with it!
Once you know what features you want in your appliances, you have to decide on just how much you are willing to spend. You can get appliances that offer similar features for a range of prices. When we were looking for a refrigerator recently we saw models ranging from $900 all the way to $4000 offering very similar features. The appliance we ultimately chose offered us all of the features we wanted in a price range we were happy with and with the almost five-star reviews to back up the company’s claims of being a good appliance. However, finding the perfect fridge took a long time, which brings us to the next tip.

3. Take your time
Unless your stove stops working and you absolutely need to replace it right away, take your time when appliances shopping. Be sure to visit a number of stores and look at as many models as possible. Compare prices and don’t forget to look online. Oftentimes the virtual version of a store will offer better prices than what you will get in-store. If you do see a price online that you like, print it up and take it with you to see if the store will price match – they almost always do.

4. Don’t forget your tape measure
As silly as this sounds, appliances are constantly evolving and a “standard” size fridge from ten years ago is no longer the “standard” for today. Be sure to measure the space you have for your appliances at home before heading out to the store. When you see an appliance you like, measure it to be sure that it fits into your home before buying it – because many stores won’t take something back because it doesn’t fit.

Getting new appliances is always fun – and seeing them in your kitchen is even better!

Toronto’s housing market has been hot since the early 2000s and it doesn’t seem to really be slowing down. However, with the heated real estate scene, many home buyers are turning to alternative housing to meet their domestic needs. Since housing costs per square foot can range anywhere between $747-$839 in Toronto, many folks are seeking options that are more affordable and more eco-friendly for their permanent residence.

Tiny home
They might have started off as a novelty, but tiny homes are very popular and a growing trend. Those who prefer to live mortgage-free and downgrade their housing footprint find tiny homes the perfect fit. They are eco-friendly, far more affordable, can be customized to suit your tastes and lifestyle and are also transportable to wherever you want to live.

Eco homes
The term “eco” can be used to describe a wide variety of homes that meet certain sustainability standards. Whether they are passive homes that minimize their energy requirements, off-grid properties that rely uniquely on sustainable forms of energy or properties built using recycled and repurposed materials, the eco-home trend truly is the way of the future.

Micro apartments
This brand-new trend in North America debuted in Asia where the need for compact living made such accommodations essential in some urban environments. Known for their extremely compact size and clever designs that maximize your storage and living space, they also require a complete rethinking of how you live.

Shipping containers
Shipping container homes are not as popular as other trends, but they are another very good alternative for those wanting to reduce the cost of their home as well as reduce their environmental impact. By reusing shipping containers and turning them into viable living spaces, some people have managed to create exceptional homes. Naturally, such an endeavor would require a good architect and a builder who is familiar with alternative forms of construction.

Regardless of what you prefer, there are a number of ways to make your home as unique and special as you want it to be.

As the warm weather days start getting fewer and the sun starts setting earlier, it is a good time to start thinking about winter proofing your Toronto home – and where better to start than at the top with your roof? Knowing the basics of preventative roof care can save you thousands in major repairs.

The first thing to know about roofs is their shape – your Toronto home either has a flat or peaked roof. Naturally a flat roof will be much easier to maintain and replace making them the less expensive option, however, they are more prone to accumulating water and don’t do well with heavy snowfall. In the long run, they will require more maintenance in snowy, wet conditions to keep them in tip-top shape.

Peaked roofs have any number of angles and slopes. They are definitely more expensive to install and repair, but they require much less maintenance because rain and snow slough off them easily. While they can still get damaged, it is less likely.

What is important to do regardless of your roof’s shape is to check twice a year for any of the following warning signs:

Swelling or deformation
Mold, moss or lichen, as they can signal an underlying decay setting in
Debris such as leaves, bird nests, rocks, etc… anything that could block drainage
Water accumulation
Sand or gravel as this could be an indication of rotting shingles
For flat roofs: check the perimeter
Clogged drains and gutters
Damage at the seams between any two sections of roof
Rust on the flashings
Missing shingles

If there are any warning signs indicating some kind of issue, you should call your roofer immediately to get it evaluated. It is best to take care of potential problems when the weather is still clement, than trying to deal with a leaky roof when the weather is freezing.

To ensure a healthy roof year-round, be sure to:
Clean your gutters and drains
Remove heavy snow if you see it accumulate
Replace damaged shingles immediately
Reseal seams if they show signs of curling up

As long as you take the time to check your roof regularly, you’ll be able to keep it healthy for as long as possible.

Patio season in Toronto tends to run from the end of May until about the beginning of September – essentially during the warm weeks of the year. However, there is no need to shorten your patio enjoyment just because the evenings are getting shorter and the weather is getting cooler. There are some very simple ways of extending your patio season well into October so that the dreary prospect of being cooped up during the winter doesn’t seem so daunting.

Firepits
Adding a firepit is a great way of keeping the cold at bay and of warming up chilly evenings. Not only will a fire pit keep you warm, it also makes a great spot for roasting marshmallows, warming up hot toddies or grilling sausages on a stick. Sitting around a cozy fire will be very attractive to family and friends who want to be outside but don’t like the dip in autumn temperatures.

Lights!
Adding patio lights or fairy lights is another good way of extending the life or your Toronto patio into fall. Even if the weather is warm, people tend to shy away from the outdoors when the light fades from the sky. Keep it illuminated with a lighting scheme that will brighten your evenings and encourage the party to move outside – regardless of what the sun says!

Patio coverings
Autumn can be cold and wet in Toronto. Instead of exposing your patio to the mercy of the elements, consider purchasing something to shield your from the elements. Whether it is a gazebo, an umbrella or some other canopy, creating a shelter will make it easier to enjoy fall days even if the elements don’t agree.

Outdoor heaters
If you don’t have space for a fire pit, then you can consider adding an outdoor heater to your patio. They are easily found at any garden supply centre or big box home hardware store and provide a great alternative to abondonning your patio too soon.

Fireplace
An alternative to a fire pit, if you have the space and the resources would be to add an outdoor fireplace. These brick or stone confections are ideal for creating just the right atmosphere for making the most of lazy autumn days.

Spending as much time outside as possible is something everyone wants to do while we can since winter traps us for so many months of the year. Getting around the chilly evenings and the failing light will help you to get more enjoyment out of your patio for longer in the year.