Is your home ready for the fun times?

Spring is an exciting season to feel alive, more so with the flowers blooming and the sun shining warmer and brighter. What better way to enjoy the warmer days and feel alive than by entertaining and showing off your lovely home? With the first few weeks of spring already behind us and the first rains having fallen, why not ready your home for entertaining times with loved ones…

While giving your home that extra spring in its step, you could possibly come across some new items you may have forgotten to add to your home insurance policy – another opportunity for you to spring clean your insurance.

• Get scrubbing - a good scrub is always needed to prepare your home for the new season. Inspect each area/room in your home and take stock of the work that needs to be done. Do you need to call in the professionals or can you DIY? Scrub those walls, chairs, windows to give your home a fresh clean look and smell.
• Spray the freshness in – whether it’s an old wooden bedside table, your coat hanger or the garden table - don’t be shy to spray your way to a fresh change. Get your hands on some cleaning spray to deal with the dust and then spray paint your way to new furniture (well new looking furniture). Remember to choose materials that are long lasting and will work with the rest of your home while keeping your furniture protected.
• Bring out the green hands - nothing turns a house into a home like beautiful plants and the refreshing smell of nature. Whether you have a garden or reliant on your balcony and window sills to bring a little nature into your home, you can still bring out the greens. Decorate your pot plants to compliment your home and bring the freshness of the spring season into your home.
• Waterproof your home – if you want to enjoy the sunshine and rainbow, you need to prepare for the storm too. While checking everything else around the house, don’t forget to check that it can stand the rain. Get on the roof and check for leaks, inspect your drainage systems and other areas where cracks could be waiting to let water in.
• Ready to braai? - What’s spring without a couple of friends to chill with around a braai stand. Don’t find yourself unprepared when those “unplanned” braais or pool parties happen at your place. Get your braai area cleaned up and refurbished if needs be, there’s nothing worse than meat tasting like last season.
• Get that pool sparkling – spring came bursting with heat, we can only imagine how the summer will be… so a pool time is a must! Whether with friends or alone, you may want to stay refreshed by taking some time off to enjoy the pool and cool off from the heat. Seasons can be harsh on our pools, so before you get ready to dive in make sure that the pool has been thoroughly cleaned and is ready to keep you cool.
• Light it up – the important thing about entertaining is having the space that allows you to and complements your warm welcoming smile. Make your home bright and welcoming by adding creative images and wall papers or creative lighting. Lighting and imagery have a huge effect on emotions, so consider using solar lighting to illuminate your home and make it suitable for the spring season.

There are loads of activities that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home this season. While working to get your home entertainment ready, remember to also check that your home and all its contents are adequately covered. Check your home insurance and make sure that your braai area and garden equipment is covered.