Owning a home takes work and money. On average, homeowners spend between 1 and 3 percent of their home’s value on repairs and improvement. Of course, there are always ways to cut down on costs, so let’s take a look at some ways to save money while still maintaining and improving the home of your dreams!
Regular dusting of your home accessories should occur weekly. Dust bunnies can start creeping up after a few days, and that encourages allergens to interfere with your life. Cleaning your accessories not only guarantees that you are rid of the dust and dirt, it also helps check for uninvited guests such as spiders, ants or fleas.
A signed contract for your home improvement project should ideally include both your signature and that of the contractor. You should consider having a friend or a lawyer look over your contract if possible. The cost, dates and warranty information should all be stated in the contract.
Ceramic tiles can eventually turn grungy. Using a solution made of vinegar and water is safe for most flooring. Just put some of this solution in a bucket to mop your floors easily. It’s also a good product to use if you’re eco-conscious.
Even beginning home improvers can find benefit in fixing a leaky faucet. When you can respond to issues like this promptly, you reduce water waste and the potential for damages. This can keep you within even a tight budget.
Although many homeowners use an ordinary word stove or fireplace to heat their homes, you should give the drawbacks of such a system some thought before employing it yourself. They certainly look nice, but they aren’t very energy efficient, as the structure of the fireplace ensures high heat loss through the chimney. Additionally, the air needed to fuel the wood stove will be used from the oxygen in your home.
Don’t forget about the area outside your house. You can turn your backyard into an extension of the house. It is the ideal place to relax or entertain guests at a barbeque.
Free up space on your nightstand by using a floor lamp as opposed to using a table lamp. Floor lamps rest on the floor, so they have more placement options. By contrast, table lamps eat up lots of space on the table surface. Pick lamps with unique designs that you will enjoy.
If your front door is well-designed and well-kept you can see an increase in value of your home as high as 10 percent. The finishing touches on the door also improve the look. A variety of locks and knobs are available.
While many older houses have a lot of carpeting, many are left outdated and stained because of years of wear. Wooden floors have a classic feel and last longer than most plush carpets.
Homes lose heating through windows. Getting your bigger windows double-glazed can cut energy transfer by up to half, which will have a huge impact on your energy bills. What’s more, it will keep indoor temperatures at sane levels, even if outdoor temperatures are sub-zero or 100+.
Home builders will often install solid wood cabinets without hardware as a way to save on costs. Luckily, you can buy drawer pulls, handles, and cabinet knobs at most home improvement shops or online. You can purchase any style or design of knobs that you wish and install them in a minutes.
Are you planning on painting your home? Try no-VOC paints. Unlike many traditional paint formulations, this type of paint is safe for the environment and lacks toxic chemicals. They are just as effective as regular paints are, and are priced just a bit higher than traditional paints.
One way to create a peaceful environment in your home is to employ an analogous color-scheme. Analogous colors bode well when next to one another such as green and yellow, blue and violet or orange and red. This type of color scheme is more relaxing and is especially suited to areas like the bedroom or family room.
Color Scheme
Base your color scheme around an item that already exists in the room you are redecorating. Be it the upholstery, or a rug, any item will do as a base for your color scheme. For instance, if your sofa has a pattern that is made up of mauve, green and taupe shades, then select one dominant color from those options to feature in at least half of the room. These shades will be used to accent the room.
You can save a lot on homeowner’s insurance by installing some quality smoke alarms and checking them regularly. This will save you even more money if your home is older because newer homes are usually constructed with materials that are more fire-resistant. Saving money isn’t the only good thing, they can also save your life.
Make your home more inviting from the outside by adding new paint and drop in a new doormat. The entrance of your home is quite important in making a first impression on guests who come to visit. Simple touches, such as a new welcome mat and bright potted plants, can give a good first impression.
You can save on energy costs with some home improvements. Putting in Energy Star compliant light bulbs will help lower carbon output while using 75 percent less electricity than incandescent bulbs. Heat, energy and money can be conserved by insulating your water heater.
After you have looked over these hints, you will be able to save money when you go to buy your materials. You will be able to complete the desired home improvement projects while saving money.
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