Even after a couple of years of living in a new home, it can become worn down from day to day living. So, depending on the condition of your current property now may be a good time to write up a list of home improvements that you’d like to make to your home. Start by noting down everything you’d like to improve and then you can go about getting these fixed. Here are ten home improvements to transform your home, if you’re looking for some inspiration.
Upgrade Your Windows
Windows are integral to your home, and if they become compromised in any way, they can end up making your home less energy-efficient and no one wants to have a cold home during the winter months. Take this opportunity now to look at your windows and to note down any issues. Perhaps they’re only single or double glazed? Maybe there’s cracking around the window frame where it’s fitted into the wall. These are all potential problems for warm air to escape and for the cold air to seep in. All your windows should at least be double glazed, but you can now get triple glazing also.
Triple glazing has rapidly come to a common solution in today’s building industry, so if you have the budget, then it’s worth the splurge. When it comes to windows, check the UPVC window costs and see if you can haggle yourself a reasonable deal. While it is possible to do this job yourself, you might want to get in the professionals so they can do a swift and proper job. Ensure that you’ve thought about the style and fit that you’re going for and that they are suitable for your property.
Replace Or Fix Broken Cabinets
Cabinets are one of the first material features in your home to become damaged, scuffed, or broken. Some hinges are the best and if you have small children running around the home, they can tend to be a bit more forceful when opening cupboard doors. Broken or worn cabinets can be an easy fix and in most cases, the cabinet doors won’t really need replacing. It’s also a job that you can do yourself with a bit of elbow grease. Start off by sanding off any existing colour if the cabinets are somewhat damaged or use a paint stripper to remove the paint. Pick a colour that suits the space it’s in, whether that’s the kitchen or bathroom. Replace any handles to upgrade its appearance and add a protective varnish to make it look brand new. You can also take this as an opportunity to replace any weak hinges, with sturdier ones.
Re-grout Your Tiles
The grout around your tiles can become discoloured and damage over time. With regular usage of your shower and bathroom in general, it’s only natural for this to occur and every so often, it’s good to re-grout your tiles, so they look brand new again. This also ends up making your bathroom environment a lot healthier as mould usually attaches itself to grouting. To successfully remove grout, you’ll need the necessary tools which you can pick up from your local DIY shop. Mix up some new grout and fill it in, wiping away the excess left on the tiles and allow to dry.
Get Your Carpets Cleaned Professionally
Even the most organised cleaners won’t be able to lift old stains out of the carpet without a professional solution being used. It’s surprising though when they are cleaned because you’ll notice just how dirty your carpets get. Depending on the amount of carpet area will affect the cost, but it’s certainly worth doing every few years and perhaps maybe a little more regularly if you have younger children who are more prone to cause accidents! To get the best results, you want a service that shampoos and hoovers the carpet. There might be several steps to this process, so it’s worth booking a day off from work to oversee it.
Upgrade With Technology
Technology can definitely upgrade the appearance of your home and how it performs for you as a household. Devices that connect to your heating, for example, can be operated via an app on your phone so that you’re able to control the heating from outside the property. Other examples of technology are of course the Alexa, which can help you control lighting, answer questions, call people, and play music. A home stereo system might also be a good idea if you enjoy your music, and this is also something that can be integrated inside your walls.
Take Advantage Of Wall Space
When floor space is limited, it’s good to take advantage of wall space when it comes to making home improvements. Get creative with pieces of artwork and experiment with photos and canvas prints that are grouped together in a unique way. Wall clocks are also great as a statement piece, the bigger the better and if you need some more storage options, then floating shelves are also very popular. If you fancy yourself a bit of a DIY pro, then you can always make these shelves yourself using scraps of wood and cutting them down to size. They are a rustic feature or can be made out of an alternative material to look more modern.
Touch Up With Paint
The cheapest home improvement, if you’re on a budget, is paint. Paint is great for doing touch-ups to your walls, and such a minor fix can end up making a big difference to the space. Make sure you’re doing this at a time where you can keep the windows open for at least twenty-four hours. That way, it’s better to do it during the warmer months instead of doing it at the peak of winter. If you fancy going a bit further with paint, you can experiment with stenciling or just colouring one wall to create a feature spot in the home.
Be Energy Efficient
It’s clear that many of us are becoming more conscious about our carbon footprint and what we’re contributing to our environment. So to help with that, we can install relevant programs and software to help us be more energy efficient. Not only that, but it will also save you money in the long run. Something like an energy-saving monitor is useful to track your energy usage. This taps into your home’s electricity and highlights where the most energy is being used. Once you have this information, you can then look at ways to reduce your usage by using the appliance less or replacing it with a more energy-efficient one.
Install A Rainfall Shower
The rainfall shower has become very popular now in many households thanks to a lot of modern hotels installing them within hotel rooms. They add that extra level of luxury to your showering, and there’s nothing like a great shower to wake you up in the morning. These are usually fairly straightforward to install but become a little bit more complex when you want to fit it from within your ceiling. Be sure to hire a professional if you’re not a plumber yourself. Rainfall showers don’t need to be expensive either, but they do make sure a difference to your daily bathroom experience. You’ll feel like you’re constantly on a spa day!
Tidy Up The Garden
And finally, the last home improvement you can make is actually outside of your property. A lot of homeowners can forget to take care of their outside space, and this is one of the first things your guests will see when they approach your home. Take a bit of pride in your outdoor space by spending some time mowing any lawn space and pulling out any dead plants and weeds. Get creative with different varieties of flowers and plants. This is a place where you can dare to be a bit more experimental with colour. If you have enough space around the back, you may want to consider installing some decking to the space and adding a bit of mood lighting for summer evenings spent outside. Outdoor furniture is something that can be bought if needed, with outdoor sofas and swings being a popular choice for comfort. If you want to really show off, why not get an outdoor fire pit or a bbq kitchen unit so that you can host all of the garden parties for your friends and family throughout the summer.
It’s always beneficial to improve your home. Not only does it add value to your property, but it also helps you retain your love for your home like you felt when you first moved in. Take advantage of wall space and remember to show your outdoor space some love. Practice being more energy efficient and keep on-trend with the latest technology available. Re-grout your tiles every so often and think about installing a rainfall shower to treat every morning like a spa day. Get your carpets cleaned regularly and touch up scuffs and marks with some paint.
Leave a Reply