Home Improvements that Pay Off
In times of economic uncertainty it is only natural that we try to save money. We cancel expensive vacation trips, cut on leisure, postpone the purchase of that brand new car, and put off major expenditures such as home remodeling and repairs. The idea is to stretch our hard earned dollars and save everything we can, in case we come to face even tougher times
However, forfeiting some renovation projects and important repairs might not be the smartest choice. That outdated HVAC system, the old windows, and cold basement might be costing you big bucks. The next rainstorm may flood your basement. In other words, the money you’re trying to save in repairs might be being spent instead in utility bills or depleted in bigger repairs later on due to the lack of proper preventive measures.
Even in tough times, there are some improvements that actually pay off, lowering your energy consumption, preserving or increasing the property value, and giving you much-needed peace of mind.
Below is a list of the five of the most cost-effective home improvements and the best investments you can ever make in your home.
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Decorating with Plants: Bring the outside in during cold weather
It turns out that real live houseplants have real live health benefits. Decorating your home with a healthy, thriving plant will naturally cleanse the air, emitting oxygen as they do outdoors, and creating a generally relaxing vibe. When redecorating virtually any room, don’t forget to pick out a potted plant or two and follow some simple guidelines for optimal growth and safety.
When you want to use plants to incorporate different looks in various parts of your home, realize that some rooms are more suitable for one type of plant than another. When plant shopping, take note of whether a plant is low-light or high-light, and think of which areas of your home get more sun, or less. It is often the case that higher-light plants require more water. If there are pets or children in your home and you want a low-maintenance floor plant, a snake plant is a much safer choice than a cactus. Always ask when shopping whether a growth is poisonous, and avoid them if you have animals or toddlers that might unwittingly try a bite. In that case, it’s best to decorate with high hanging plants, or perhaps an indoor tree like a ficus bejamina, with leaves out-of-reach.
Garage Remodeling
Most residents think about their garage twice a day: when they’re getting into and getting out of their cars. But the garage is an untapped resource in many homes — one that can be re-organized, re-adjusted or just plain re-worked into something fun, practical or even good for your health. Here are some tips for garage remodeling.
One of the easier outcomes for your garage is to turn it into a home gym. This process will create a more convenient situation to exercise, as there will no longer be a need to drive to the gym. It can also save you loads of money in the long run when you no longer have to pay the monthly gym fees. Some ideas to make your garage more appealing for this are to put down a carpet, put up a television or install a radio system, or install shelves and hooks to store less heavy equipment.
Interior Design on a Budget
Interior design can sometimes be expensive. But if you want to do a little redecorating without breaking the bank, it is possible to give a room a great new look on a budget. The key is researching and doing your homework before you begin. Preparing and prioritizing—deciding exactly what you want—will give you focus and help you envision the desired layout, color scheme, etc. One of the main reasons why people go over budget when redecorating is changing minds, which often leads to wasted materials. Interior design is fun but it’s easy to get carried away.
Paint
Paint is a simple and inexpensive product that can go a long way. Are the bathroom or kitchen cabinets too expensive to replace? Sand and paint them. Is the floor etched and dull? Most flooring material can be painted. With all the colors on the market, you can get creative, even on a tight budget. Consider stencil patterns. Maybe you want a ski or fir tree pattern in a lodge-like living room, or a comforting foliage design in a country kitchen. The possibilities are endless in a child’s room—rainbows, baseballs, clouds, dolls and animals. If you are artistically inclined, paint a mural on the wall. Before painting anything, however, make sure the paint you have purchased is compatible with the intended surface.
Interior Painting Tips
Interior painting is one of the simplest and least expensive ways to create dramatic changes in the appearance and character of your home. Some of the most popular painting techniques are described below. Most of these techniques use more than one color of paint to achieve the appearance of depth and texture. Glazing compound is usually used to thin the consistency of the paint to allow it to be applied in thinner layers, and to prevent it from drying too rapidly.
Before you start on any painting project, remember: don’t skimp on preparation. Sand off flaking paint and fill holes with spackle. Cover all surfaces you want to protect with a good drop cloth, wipe down your walls and remove any grease, handprints or dirt and tape all trim edges, switch plates, outlets and knobs before you open that first can of paint. And if you have any doubts in how to complete the job, contact a professional painter to help you.
