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Showing posts with label home improvement ideas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home improvement ideas. Show all posts

Thursday, January 13, 2022

What You Can Do to Reduce the Energy Use of Your Home

What You Can Do to Reduce the Energy Use of Your Home

This post contains paid affiliate links, please read our Advertising Disclosure Statement.




Let’s be honest here, we’re all struggling a little when it comes to household finances these days. The pandemic has taken a huge toll, and the impact it’s had on the job market doesn’t look like it’s going to go away anytime soon. In the meantime, it’s up to us to find ways to make our expenses fit our income. Reducing your energy bill can help, but only if you can find some ways to reduce the amount of energy you use. So what can you do?

Use Energy Efficient Appliances

So this one requires an upfront cost, but it’s one that can pay off if you’re able to swing it. Old kitchen and laundry appliances tend to be less energy efficient than the models of today. Part of this is due to increased inefficiencies that happen over time, while the other part of it is that newer appliances have been built with greater efficiency in mind. If your appliances are reaching the end of their lifespan, it’s time to start looking for newer, more efficient options. Once you have them, you can sit back and enjoy the extra savings you get just because the new appliances are using less power than the old ones.

Don’t Leave Things Plugged In

Ever heard of energy vampires? It’s the term that is used to describe things that get left plugged in and still pull electricity even if they aren’t actually being used. Phone chargers are a classic example of this. We tend to leave them plugged in all the time, regardless of whether or not we’re charging a phone. The problem is that the charger is still pulling electricity as long as it’s plugged in, regardless of whether or not a phone is charging. Unplugging appliances and electronics may not net you a ton of savings, but sometimes even a little savings here and there can help.

Add More Insulation

Your HVAC system probably has the greatest impact on how much energy you use in your home. The harder it has to work to heat or cool your home, the more energy it has to use to get the job done. There are plenty of things you can do to improve your HVAC system’s efficiency. One of them is to add more insulation to your home if you don’t have adequate insulation in places like your attic, walls, ceilings, floors, and more. Insulation allows you to maintain a more consistent temperature throughout your home, preventing heat loss in the winter and heat gain during the summer. This means your system won’t have to work as hard, reducing the amount of energy it uses.

Use Efficient Windows and Doors

Adding insulation isn’t the only way to maintain your home’s internal climate. Windows and doors can be major culprits when it comes to the loss of heat and cool air, especially if they aren’t energy efficient. That could cost you, literally. Energy efficient entry doors save money by reducing the need for heating and cooling. Energy efficient windows can do the same. If you aren’t sure if your windows and doors are a problem, you can always have a home inspection done. Some companies use infrared thermal scanning that can identify whether or not you have a problem in these areas.

Leverage Natural Light

Do you find yourself turning the lights on during the day? If so, you could be using energy unnecessarily. Natural light can go a long way towards lighting up your home. It’s free too, which means you’re saving money on the energy you aren’t using to light your home. Feel free to open up the curtains and blinds. Because natural light has mental health benefits, you may even find that your personal energy levels improve along with your energy savings in this area.

Get Smart

Have you hopped on the smart home bandwagon yet? If not, you could be missing out on some opportunities to reduce your energy use. Smart home technology allows you to control things like your home’s heating, electronic devices, and lights remotely, enabling you to maximize your savings opportunities. Remember how we said earlier that your HVAC system has a huge impact on the amount of energy you use? With a smart thermostat you can control the settings remotely, allowing you to adjust to more energy efficient settings while you’re away and then back to your comfort level when you’re getting close to home. Smart lights mean that you won’t have to worry about leaving the lights on again either. Reducing your energy use has never been easier.

Trimming a little here and a little there off of your expenses can make a difference when it comes to trying to stretch the income you have a little further. Finding ways to reduce the energy you use around your home is just one thing you can do to help cut costs. What are some of the money-saving strategies you’ve used in your household?

Read this next: How to Add to Your Home in a Way That Boosts Your Equity


Thank you for stopping by and checking out What You Can Do to Reduce the Energy Use of Your Home. Which suggestion was your favorite? What other tips would you suggest? Be sure to let us know in the comments below! If you enjoyed this post, we’d be very grateful if you’d help it spread by emailing it to a friend or sharing it on Twitter and/or Facebook. Don't want to lose this? Pin it on Pinterest so you can get back to it later!
 
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Monday, January 3, 2022

How to Make Your Simple Home Look Luxurious

How to Make Your Simple Home Look Luxurious
This post contains paid affiliate links, please read our Advertising Disclosure Statement.

Everybody wants their home to look lush and beautiful, but if you (like everyone not a billionaire) are on a budget, then you’re probably not planning on hiring a decorator to redo your design in the new year. But, a couple long years of a pandemic have worn upon America’s collective souls, and it’s time to update your decorations. You want something which gives the luxurious warmth your family and friends want to relax into, but also the simplistic modern design which is itself relaxing.  How can you make your simple home look luxurious?

Use Metal in Your Design

Metallics do not, of course, make luxury in and of themselves, but add an antique element to your spaces. Try metal tiles in your kitchen backsplash or add shine in bathroom hooks. Humans are genetically programmed to search for shiny things because water has that sheen, which leads to both the love of metals of all kinds and the love of other shiny items like gemstones and glass. Whether hammered bronze or copper, which are both on trend, or an aluminum industrial element, adding in metallics can create a luxury feel to your space.  

Paint With Neutral Colors

Neutrals are so much more than white and cream! Almost every color has a neutral-edged counterpart on the color wheel, which can help make any color you love into a neutral if you can figure out what to add to create the usable neutral you need. Reds, greens, and blues also have neutral variations. This gives you the chance to choose options which fit your own taste, but which are neutral in texture. Bold colors tend to visibly distract from your décor items in a room. But in contrast, neutrals give you the chance to have both rich wall color, and also the gentle colors which enhance and bring out every treasured item and picture.

Add a Pool

While you might not want an Olympic-sized pool in your yard, the addition of a pool can add a great deal of luxury to your property. If your lot is oddly shaped, or it’s difficult to access the backyard, don’t despair! Concrete pump trucks can easily reach over your fence and other obstacles on your property. This gives you the freedom of being able to add in both luxury and functionality to your yard. Make sure to budget in the safety aspects which will make sure that both children and others will be protected when not in use.

Use an Anchor Piece

When purchasing furniture, it can be tempting to go through a series of cheap pieces, all of which both feel cheap when using them, and also break down easily. The reason that vintage classics stay both classic and vintage is that they have withstood the test of time. Look for a piece which is both well made, heavy, and which can likewise become vintage. Design around such, and your home will have some pieces which can continue to add luxury over time.

Plants

What lends both luxury and oxygen to a space? Your plants need not be the more trendy, nor expensive in order to be useful to you in creating the luxurious look you crave. Try groupings of similar types of plants together in similarly styled pots, so as to have variance of texture but a rich, monochromatic look. Look for those plants which are easy to care for, in varying heights. The bonus of using plants is that you get an extra boost of oxygen and calm by using them in your spaces!

Lighting

While you’re adding metal into a space, one easy way to add both it and luxury is to change out your lighting! There are gorgeous options for adding a sculptural piece which can both make your space look luxurious without adding clutter, and also help lower the ceiling to only slightly above your viewpoint. Many modern homes have tall ceilings, particularly in living rooms and entryways, and the lighting left by contractors are generally not conducive to adding luxury! When you search for lighting, look for pieces which will add the modern feel while also offering classic design. You want something which your family can use for decades, and the next owners of the home will beg you to leave for their enjoyment.

Minimalize

Nothing says luxury like a lack of, well, mess. If your budget is strained and you want to make it possible to have a modern feel to your home, remember—less is more! Designers work hard to create a visual continuity in luxury homes by using neutral colors on walls and furnishings such as desks or bookcases, which then blend visually into the wall space. Items on shelving should be minimized, and collections placed together so that they can be more congruous. 

It can be complicated if you like to collect several types of items. Try grouping them together. As always, go through things like books, toys, blankets, knick knacks, and other items often. Collect things that you no longer use or love to give away and bless other families. By removing things that are no longer useful to you in your home, you give the option of bringing in décor items which you do indeed adore and will use happily. By removing those things which are extras- extra frames, extra books, extra furnishings—you can create a space which is peaceful to the eye, which automatically makes it more welcoming to guests.

Luxury can be less expensive than you think! By removing items which you no longer use, you are freeing up space where you can enjoy your design, and having more space is perhaps the most useful and luxurious hack of all! Make sure your lighting is both bright and beautiful. Add in your plants and an anchor piece, while considering how nice a pool would be next summer. Look for those subtle sheens, both in your metallics and the warm neutrals which can make your room glow!

Read this next: Top 10 Budgeting Strategies To Help You Curb Overspending 


Thank you for stopping by and checking out our tips on How to Make Your Simple Home Look Luxurious. Which tip was your favorite? What other tips would you suggest? Be sure to let us know in the comments below! If you enjoyed this post, we’d be very grateful if you’d help it spread by emailing it to a friend or sharing it on Twitter and/or Facebook. Don't want to lose this? Pin it on Pinterest so you can get back to it later!
 
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Thursday, December 23, 2021

How to Add to Your Home in a Way That Boosts Your Equity

How to Add to Your Home in a Way That Boosts Your Equity
This post contains paid affiliate links, please read our Advertising Disclosure Statement.



Your home is already a fantastic investment, but there are some things that you can do to increase the value of your home and boost your equity. Because remodels, upgrades, and additions cost money, it is important to focus on the areas that will bring the greatest return on the investment. Here are eight ways to increase the worth of your home.

Make a Simple Cosmetic Change

Sometimes, the simplest changes can make the biggest difference. One area where this is true is curb appeal. Improving your home’s curb appeal with a simple cosmetic change is one way to get a big return on a small investment. Ways to improve curb appeal include applying a fresh coat of paint or adding new siding. Neutral paint colors are generally better for appealing to a wide audience, and installing high-end siding can significantly increase the value of your home. Another good option for improving curb appeal is to update your landscape design. A beautifully designed front yard is a great attention grabber and huge selling point. At the very least, improve upon the landscaping you already have. Rake leaves, remove weeds, trim bushes, improve the quality of your grass, and plant eye-catching flowers.

Add a Room

One of the best ways to increase home value is to expand the number of rooms. This can be done in a number of ways. One way is to add new construction. This gives you the most flexibility for the type and size of room that can be added. Furthermore, this will increase the total square footage of your home, which provides an automatic raise in value. Another common way to increase room number and square footage is to finish an unfinished basement. The size and shape of your basement will be a determining factor, but generally, unfinished basements can be turned into several rooms, such as a game room or theater, bathroom, and bedroom. The least invasive way to add a new room to your home is to create two rooms out of one larger space. Just be careful that this isn’t done at the expense of other popular features, such as a vast family room or large master bedroom. Be cautious with garage conversions. If a garage conversion makes parking or storage a problem, it might not be a boon.

Install Hardwood Floors

The quality of flooring can make or break the general appeal of your home. A classic flooring that is always in high demand is hardwood. Hardwood flooring comes in a variety of sheens, colors, textures, and plank sizes, which makes it a versatile choice for any room. Hardwood flooring is also durable, especially if you choose distressed variations for high-traffic areas. Changing your flooring is a relatively inexpensive way to increase the value of your home and create a timeless and lovely aesthetic.

Add a Deck

Decks provide an extension of your home where you can entertain in style. Additionally, they create a usable outdoor space for relaxation. Decks provide room for hosting parties and other gatherings at your home. People love to gather outside, and hosting outdoors requires less cleaning up before and after. Spending time out of doors is a proven mood booster and it is known to foster better physical and emotional health. A deck or patio is a must-have for today’s homeowners. Adding one will increase the value of your home significantly.

Upgrade Your Kitchen

If your kitchen is dated, updating it is one of the best things you can do to increase your home equity. Modern kitchens are a requirement for contemporary home buyers. Most importantly, upgrade your cabinets, countertops, appliances, faucets, and light fixtures. Your cabinets should be spacious and user-friendly, as well as durable and trendy. Countertops should be composed of a sturdy and timeless material, such as quartz or granite. Eco-friendly and smart appliances are also top sellers. And replacing dated faucets and light fixtures is an easy and inexpensive way to create a coveted kitchen design and increase home value.

Remodel Your Bathrooms

Kitchens and Bathrooms are the most important rooms to update for increased appeal and equity. Install a chic new vanity and sink combo. Replace dated mirrors with modern versions. Substitute old linoleum or cracking tile with hardwood. Install a free-standing tub. Create a unique walk-in shower with an attractive backsplash and glass doors. Trade out old-fashioned light fixtures for new, fashionable ones. All these changes will make your home more appealing and increase its worth.

Install New Windows and Doors

If you have an older home, chances are your windows are beginning to decay. Also, today’s windows offer better efficiency and provide you with more attractive options. On that same note, older doors tend to be flimsy and made of basic builder-grade materials. New, attractive, eco-friendly windows and doors pour value into your home, provide greater weather protection, save you money on utility bills, and increase curb appeal. While you are at it, think about updating your window treatments. The old, bent aluminum blinds or dated curtains of yesteryears are eyesores that detract from your home’s worth. Trade them out for practical solar blinds, versatile Roman shades, trendy bamboo blinds, eco-friendly woven wood roller shades, or custom drapes.

Make Your Home a Smart Home

Smart home automation is becoming more and more popular for today’s buyers and will soon become a necessity. Automated features under high demand currently are lights, thermostats, doorbells, locks, home security, and major appliances. Making your home a smart home is a great way to get the most bang for your buck. Installations are relatively inexpensive, and the increase in value is substantial.

These are a few simple changes that you can make to increase the value of your home. Every dollar added to the value of your home equals that much in additional equity. Many of these upgrades will also provide a better lifestyle for you and your family, boost your entertaining power, and be more energy-efficient. Updating your home is always a win-win, for protecting your investment and providing your family with the best possible life.

Read this next: Top 10 Budgeting Strategies To Help You Curb Overspending


Thank you for stopping by and checking out our tips on How to Add to Your Home in a Way That Boosts Your Equity. Which tip was your favorite? What other tips would you suggest? Be sure to let us know in the comments below! If you enjoyed this post, we’d be very grateful if you’d help it spread by emailing it to a friend or sharing it on Twitter and/or Facebook. Don't want to lose this? Pin it on Pinterest so you can get back to it later!

 

Have a great day!


    




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Friday, December 3, 2021

What Home Improvements Should You Prioritize?

What Home Improvements Should You Prioritize?
This post contains paid affiliate links, please read our Advertising Disclosure Statement.

There are a lot of decisions to make when you are renovating your home. There is a seemingly endless array of possible home improvement projects to take on, but a finite budget and timeline in which to do your improvements. Knowing what improvements are worth it and which are not is never easy, but this article is here to help. Here are eight home improvement projects that you should prioritize when you are renovating your home.

 

Roof Replacements

Your roof is your first line of defense against the elements. An old and damaged roof can lead to leaks which can cause incredible amounts of very expensive damage to your home. Worse yet, a roof collapse could cause injury and even more damage than a leak. Updating your roof and replacing it when it comes time is essential to maintaining the safety of your home. Depending on the type of roof you have, you should be replacing your roof somewhere between every fifteen and thirty years. Do your research to find out what kind of roofing you have and when you should be replacing it.

 

New Flooring

The floors in a home get dirty and damaged over time. And while proper maintenance, clearing, and repairs can help keep your floors nice for longer, you will eventually need to replace the flooring. Floors are very important to the structural stability and resale value of your home, and adding new flooring offers a plethora of advantages as a homeowner. For carpeting, you should replace your floors every decade or so, and other types of flooring last longer or shorter than that. Make sure you know how long your flooring has been in your home, so you know when it is time to replace it.

 

Bathroom Remodels

Bathrooms are some of the most important spaces in your home both for livability and for the resale value of your home. Remodeling your bathroom provides a comfortable and modern space for your bathroom, which is always nice. Bathroom remodels also offer a very high return on investment to the value of your home. Buyers are always looking at the bathrooms as a signal for the value of homes and having a nice and updated bathroom sends value signals to buyers. If you have not updated your bathroom in some time, then now is the time to do so.


Kitchen Remodels

Much like a bathroom remodel, a kitchen remodel is one of the best things you can do in your home for both the livability of your home and the resale value when it comes time to sell. Kitchens are one of the biggest selling points of houses and updating your kitchen can increase the value of your home almost exponentially. Not only that, but upgrading your kitchen will make your life better while you live there too. Remodeling can make you proud of your home and make cooking in your kitchen a joy again. If you love cooking, or want to get back in the habit, then remodeling your kitchen is a great step to help you get in the kitchen more and love the time that you spend there.


Upgrade Your Appliances

Your appliances are some of the most valuable home renovations and remodel items that you have in your home. Upgrading your appliances can help save you time on your day-to-day chores and tasks with upgraded machinery that does the tasks faster and more efficiently than older appliances. New appliances add value to your home, as appliances typically are left in the home upon move out. New appliances are also usually more energy-efficient than older appliances, which can save you a ton of money on your monthly utility bills. If you have not upgraded your appliances in a long time, then now is as good of a time as any to prioritize this update to your home.

 

Upgrade Your Outdoors

If you have a lot of outdoor space at your house that you don’t use, then you should prioritize renovating your outdoor spaces. You can add a deck, patio, outdoor living area, or even something as simple as a small gazebo to give yourself usable space in your yard. Any of these options are great ways to add some livability to your outdoor area to promote bonding time spent outside with your family and friends. They also all add tons of value to your home, as buyers love having usable outdoor spaces. You should prioritize the outdoors any time you are renovating your home.

 

Finish Your Basement

An unfinished basement in your home is a lost opportunity for more usable living space. An unfinished basement is pretty much only useful for storage, which is helpful, but not exactly the most valuable space to have in a home. Finishing your basement can offer another living area, office, storage, bedroom, or whatever else you want. The opportunity that an unfinished basement poses to improving your home space is so great, that it should be right at the top of your list if you have an unfinished basement

 

Take a Crack at Your Attic

If your home has an attic space that you don’t use, or only use for a little bit of storage, then you are staring at a huge opportunity for your home. Just like with an unfinished basement, an attic space that is unfinished gives you the chance to add a new room to your home, without needing to go through the costly process of a home addition. Turning your attic into a bedroom, office space, or tv room can be a great way to add functionality to an otherwise unused space in your home. So, give it a shot and see what kind of space you can make your attic for your family.

 

Renovating a home offers endless opportunities. But at the end of the day, you need to make decisions on what renovations are worthwhile and which ones need to wait. Focus on these eight renovations that deserve priority when considering home improvements and see what a difference they can make in your home.


Read this next: 4 Tips for Saving Money on Your Next Home Improvement



Thank you for stopping by and checking out our tips on What Home Improvements Should You Prioritize? Which tip was your favorite? What other tips would you suggest? Be sure to let us know in the comments below! If you enjoyed this post, we’d be very grateful if you’d help it spread by emailing it to a friend or sharing it on Twitter and/or Facebook. Don't want to lose this? Pin it on Pinterest so you can get back to it later!

 

Have a great day!


    


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Tuesday, November 9, 2021

What to Buy to Create Your Perfect Patio

What to Buy to Create Your Perfect Patio
This post contains paid affiliate links, please read our Advertising Disclosure Statement.


The art of designing the perfect patio can be challenging at best and frustrating at worst. Finding stylish pieces that work for your style and your budget is a constant struggle that can leave you drained. But it doesn’t have to be so difficult for you to get the patio you deserve. When building a patio from the ground up, there are a few key things that you need to buy to make sure that you are getting the perfect patio. 

Pavers

Don’t skimp on getting a nice paver to lay the groundwork for your patio. You can only build a patio that is as solid as its foundation. Unless you yourself are a professional paver, then don’t try to do this part yourself—there will be plenty of other steps along the way for you to get your hands in. Professional pavers can make sure that your patio starts off on the right foot. Paying professional pavers to get you started will pay off when you have your dream patio.


Plants

No patio is complete without a few beautiful plants and flowers to decorate. Why have an outdoor space if you are not going to decorate it with the best that nature has to offer? Buying plants is a great investment because if you take good care of them, they can stay healthy and bloom year after year. The decoration that keeps on giving! Get a good mix of evergreens, small trees, bushes, and flowers to give your space the look and feel of a garden. A patio that is lush, green, and vibrant is essential to cultivating the kind of space you want for your patio.

 

An Outside Table

A patio without a place to sit is simply wasted space. You want a table that can anchor your patio and make it a gathering space that people will gravitate towards. Go with something that has plenty of space for seating, is comfortable, and is still easy to clean. You will also want to make sure your table is designed to be left outside year-round. Consider your climate as well when choosing, and make sure that your table can withstand the stresses that your climate might place on your patio table. Refurbishing a used table can be a wonderful, cost-effective choice for an outdoor patio table, so feel free to get a little crafty when it comes to getting an outside table that will be a centerpiece for your patio.

 

New Seating

Your new patio table wouldn’t be complete without some brand new seating to go with it. When picking patio furniture, you have much the same limitations and concerns you have when selecting an outdoor table. You need to make sure you select a material that can hold the climate extremes that your area experiences. For instance, you should keep wood furniture out of the sun to prevent damage—so if you live in an area that gets sun 24/7, you may want to consider a different material. There are tons of great options out there that you can splurge on, so get creative and bring your patio seating to life with your own personal touch.

 

A Patio Safe Fire Pit

There is nothing quite like a homemade s’more on a summer or spring evening, or sipping a beer by the fire on a starry night with your family enjoying each other’s company. A fire pit is basically a patio essential that brings people together and provides warmth on cooler evenings. There are a lot of options for patio safe fire pits, but please, make sure that whatever you choose is truly patio safe! If you prefer burning real wood, or gas, either option is accessible. So go with what your heart desires and pick a style that fits with the vibe you are going for.

 

String Lights

String lights can take any patio and make it look like it came right out of a fairytale. And a very cost-effective choice as well! Hanging string lights over your patio can make nighttime activities all the more fun and easy by providing easy lighting that looks adorable too. There are a lot of options, just make sure you get a set that is considered outdoor use—if you try and leave outdoor lights hanging for too long they will get ruined and you’ll be right back to square one.


A Stylish Outdoor Rug

Rugs are a great way to give your space warmth, texture, patterns, and a little bit of comfort. And don’t think rugs are just for the indoors, adding an outdoor rug to your patio can make it feel like a little living room outside. Whatever you can do to make your patio space as usable as possible will help you use your patio a lot. And after all, what’s the point of having your dream patio if you aren’t going to use it often? Pick a rug that is soft and durable, and can hold up to the outside. There are a lot of amazing options that can fit any style.

 

An Outdoor Speaker System

Music is always a great addition to any space or gathering. The ambiance that you can create in your patio with the simple addition of the right music will blow your mind. You can go with a full on system installed by a pro (or install yourself if you're handy) or you could opt for a nice portable Bluetooth speaker that you can take with you anywhere. Whatever you choose, being able to play music on your patio will bring the good vibes outside with you and help you enjoy your perfect patio to its fullest.

 

Patio design can be fun, creative, and engaging, even if it can also be a headache at times. If you buy these eight items, you’ll be sure that your home patio space is going to be a favorite for friends and family. So snuggle up by your fire pit, grab a few blankets, turn on your string lights and let the good vibes roll on!


Read this next: Handy Tips on Interior Design that Won’t Break the Bank  



Thank you for stopping by and checking out What to Buy to Create Your Perfect Patio! What Create Your Perfect Patio idea was your favorite? Be sure to let us know in the comments below! If you enjoyed this post, we’d be very grateful if you’d help it spread by emailing it to a friend or sharing it on Twitter and/or Facebook. Don't want to lose this? Pin it on Pinterest so you can get back to it later!



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