Category: Home Improvement

If you want to increase the value of your home, then you should take the time to beautify the exterior. This will also help you if you plan on selling your home in the future. There are several inexpensive ways that you can beautify the exterior of your home.

Go Green

One of the easiest ways that you can beautify the exterior of your home is to go green. Add some flowers and greenery. If you don’t want to plant a garden, then you can add some window boxes and planters.

Take Good Care of Your Lawn

Maintaining your lawn will help improve your curb appeal. You will need to make sure that you keep the grass cut. You will also need to spend some time raking leaves and pulling weeds. Additionally, you should keep your lawn watered in order to prevent brown spots from developing.

Lawn care shouldn’t take a lot of your time if you make it a regular part of your routine. However, if you find that caring for a lawn is too tedious, then you can get artificial turf.

Clean Out Your Gutters

Your gutters are responsible for keeping water away from your home. However, they won’t be able to do their job if you do not keep them clean. That is why you will need to clean out your gutters on a regular basis.

Pressure Wash Your Home

Power washing your home can remove years of grime and dirt. You will also need to power wash your sidewalk, walkway, siding, and porch. If you don’t have a power washer, then you rent from Lowe’s or Home Depot. A pressure washing service could be your best option for this.

Fix It Up

Small repairs can make a major difference in your home. You will need to replace burnt-out bulbs and paint over chipped areas. Walk around your home and see if there is anything that needs to be fixed.

Use Outdoor Furniture the Smart Way

You can enhance your home with outdoor furniture. However, you have to use the furniture the right way. Too much or too little furniture can defeat the purpose. Too little furniture can look neglected and scarce. Too much furniture can appear cluttered.

You should try to find a happy medium. You will also need to keep your furniture clean.

Makeover the Mailbox

Your mailbox is probably not something that you pay a lot of attention to. However, it can make a major difference in your home. If you have had your mailbox for a while, then you may want to upgrade to something that is more stylish. It typically costs $50 to $20 to replace a mailbox.

A thoughtful lighting design has the power to transform your space! While many consider it to be a mostly functional necessity, lighting can do so much more to bring personality to your home. It can be used in creative ways to highlight special areas of your home, and can be leveraged to simplify day-to-day life!

The Right Bulb

There are many types of bulbs, and perusing the aisles of the hardware store can be daunting. DIY extraordinaire and home designers recommend focusing on Lumens instead of watts, as Lumens measure the actual light emitted rather than the energy used. Kelvin is the other important measurement and determines the temperature color of the bulb, impacting the mood of a space. 3000K and 750 Lumens bulbs are her recommendations for most lamps.

Types of Lighting

There are three basic types of lighting: ambient, accent, and task lighting. Ambient lighting provides overall, even lighting to a space and is the first type of lighting you add to your room. Ambient lighting includes overhead lighting and stairwell lighting that helps you see what you’re doing. Accent lighting is non-essential light that shows off special items or places in your home. Accent lights are often wall sconces, track lighting, recessed lights, or any lights in a very small area, such as a cabinet. Task lights help you get a particular job done, such as reading or cooking. More utilitarian spaces such as the bathroom and kitchen should focus mainly on task lighting.

Layer and Diversify

One light source cannot perform well in every situation. Start with ambient light and layer from there. In a living area where you spend your time relaxing, standing and table lamps are a must. The light from these lamps is high enough to see around you without the harshness of overhead lighting. Accent lighting from library lights or sconces will heighten the ambiance and create a more laid-back feeling. The fixtures you choose can serve as beautiful jewelry for your home; Wayfair has hundreds of affordable choices, while companies like Schoolhouse and Rejuvenation boast more upscale options.

Unexpected accent lighting under cabinets, in closets, or in pantries brings a “wow” factor that will totally elevate your small space. Puck lights or LED strip lights are great options.

Make It Work for You

The most important part of any design plan is its ability to meet your needs. If you pile high your nightstand with stacks of reading material, forgo the lamp and try out a stylish hanging light that will leave room for only books! If you appreciate extra convenience, look into voice-controlled smart lights. Some lighting projects might require you to get help from a licensed electrician.

It might take a few tries to find the right setup for you, but that’s part of the fun in making your home feel truly yours!

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Are you dealing with an endless summer that has your home feeling like a sauna? Or do you live in an apartment where the landlord will only allow the AC to be on at certain times of the day? Whatever the case, keeping your home cool and comfortable during hot weather can feel like a Herculean task.

Fortunately, some simple hacks can use to keep your house cool and comfortable this summer. Keeping up with air conditioning maintenance, opening windows when possible, installing ceiling fans, and more are all great ways to keep your home from getting too stuffy. Here are some hacks to keep your house cool and comfortable no matter how hot it gets outside.

1. Change your windows

Your windows are a huge factor in how cool your home feels. If your windows are old and drafty, they will increase your home’s energy usage and make your home feel much warmer. If you can, you should consider replacing your windows with new ones that are energy efficient. In addition to making your home cooler, it will save you money on your energy bills.

Consider installing energy-efficient curtains or shades if you can’t replace your windows. Consider keeping the shades and curtains closed during the day if you live in a hot climate. You can install blinds to help block out the sun’s warmth and keep your home cool.

2. Block Out The Sun With Blinds And Curtains

The sun streaming through your windows will heat your home and make it feel like a sauna. You can block out sunlight with a variety of different curtains and blinds. You should also remember to close your curtains or blinds during the day if you want to cool your home down.

If you have windows that receive a ton of sun, you should consider installing awnings or shades near the windows. Doing so will help block out sunlight and keep your home from becoming too hot during the day. You can also consider installing window film to help protect your windows from the sun’s harmful UV rays.

3. Add Some Natural Decor and Greenery

Adding some natural decor and greenery to your home is a great way to keep it cooler. Plants remove toxins from the air and help keep your home’s air clean and healthy. Indoor plants are especially great since they don’t require you to water them as much as outdoor plants do.

Adding indoor plants to your home can keep your home cool and reduce the humidity. You can also add a fan to your plants to help them circulate even more air throughout your home. You can even add plants to your kitchen and bathroom to create a healthy atmosphere where you spend most of your time.

You don’t have to let the summer heat ruin your home’s appearance and comfort. Adding some of these cool decorating tips to your home can create an attractive, cool, and comfortable atmosphere.

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