Home Improvement Projects to Add to Your Home To-Do List

There are plenty of projects you can do to improve your home. Some projects are large, and others can be completed in an afternoon. Here are some of the best ways to get your house just the way you want it.

Create more space.

Finding ways to creatively use your space is an investment in your sanity. Whether that’s by partnering with a local contractor to completely overhaul an unused basement or just clearing out a spare bedroom to create a home office, making the most of the square feet available to you can increase your enjoyment in your home and add value if you choose to sell.

Similarly, you can focus on your outdoor space so that you’ll have more room to roam when the weather is right. Pay attention to your landscaping and the overall outdoor ambience of your exterior. You might, for example, bring someone in to paint the shutters, facia, soffit, porch, and doors, or simply plant a garden to enjoy through the end of summer. 

Another fun project is to build the kids a treehouse in the backyard so that they will have a dedicated place to go and have fun. With this project, you may already have the lumber laying around in your garage, or you can always order parts or a kit to put it together.

Accentuate your space.

Putting up a new coat of paint inside your home has many benefits, not the least of which is creating a sense of “newness” to your home’s living environment. Aside from protecting and preventing damage to your walls in the long run, the right colors can make a room seem bigger and more inviting. Wallpaper is another great idea, one that allows you to add flair thanks to a wide array of choices in fabric, colors, designs and patterns. Some companies even allow you to “create your own” retro removable wallpaper by offering made-to-order options. 

Prioritize safety.

Your home can never be too safe, and upgrades big and small can keep your family out of harm's way. One of the most cost-effective ways to prioritize safety is to ensure your home is properly pest controlled. Preventative Pest Control notes that this averages around $180 per year, but if you have a serious problem, like bed bugs, spiders, or termites, you may wind up spending closer to $3,500 to rectify the situation.

If you live in a storm-prone area, adding features like a safe room and generator will give you and your family a secure place to shelter in case of a severe weather event. Your safe room can simply be a well-stocked area in the lowest floor of your home or in an interior closet. A whole-home generator can be costly, so if budget is a concern, stick with a portable option, which you can often find online or at a local store for only a few hundred dollars.

Clear and declutter. 

There’s no denying that clutter and stress are intricately linked together, particularly for women who often feel pressured to keep a clean house. And with everyone home, keeping a clean house has become exponentially more difficult. Your Modern Family points to a UCLA study that beautifully illustrates how the more stuff we have, the more stressed we feel.

Take this time to get everyone on board with clothing and other personal items they no longer need, want, or can wear. Tackle the closets first, which will serve the added benefit of reminding you what clothing you actually have and what you haven’t worn in two seasons or more. Anything in good working order can be sold or donated to ensure it goes to a good cause.

All these tips can help you declutter your home, but if you really want to create a clutter-free sanctuary at home, your best option is to hire the home organization specialists from House to Home Organizing. 

Getting a jump on these home projects that you’ve put off or dreamed about is a great way to pass the time. When you’re done, you can enjoy the fruits of your labor!

Inexpensive and Natural Cleaning Products for Your Home

2021 is a great time to become more conscious about the cleaning products we use in our homes and around our families. Choosing to go more natural and eco-friendly has many benefits and doing so doesn’t have to break the bank.

Cleaning products that are purchased at the store are usually made with many chemicals that can be unhealthy to not only the environment but also your family — not to mention can also be expensive. 

There are many plus sides to using all-natural cleaning products. For starters, a lot of these commercial cleaning products sold in stores contain chemicals such as bleach and ammonia that can irritate the skin, eyes, and throat and can even cause more serious health problems like cancer. 

We curated these inexpensive natural cleaning products to ensure you’ll be more sustainable and at the same time keep your space sparkling. Additionally, most of these products are ideal for shopping on a budget!

Remove harsh products out of your cleaning routine and explore these simple, yet effective natural cleaning products for the home.

1. All-Purpose Cleaner for Everyday

When it comes to eco-friendly natural cleaning products, citrus is your friend. Its strong acid components work well to get rid of pesky stains and odors in the home. Be sure to not use this recipe on natural stone tile or countertops.

• Ingredients:

  • Recycled citrus peels 

  • 1 teaspoon castile soap

  • 1 cup white vinegar

  • 2 cups water

  • 20 drops lemon essential oil (optional)

• Directions: 

1. Fill an empty jar with slices of citrus peels, fill with white vinegar, and set out for about two weeks so it has time to infuse.  

2. Next, strain vinegar from the jar and place the peels in compost. Mix the vinegar with castile soap and water. 

3. Add 20 drops of lemon-scented essential oil (optional).

4. Pour mixture into a spray bottle.

2. Natural Glass Cleaner 

Did you know cornstarch can also be used to clean glass surfaces? Cornstarch is an ingredient that is low cost and chemical-free — not to mention most people have lying around in their cupboards. Cornstarch is the perfect natural substitute since it breaks down the water bonds that cause spots and streaks.

• Ingredients:

  • 2 cups water

  • 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol

  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch 

  • ¼ cup white vinegar

• Directions: 

1. Mix together all ingredients.

2. Shake up this mixture until well combined and pour into a bottle with a spray nozzle. 

3. Eco-Friendly Air Freshener

Another ingredient that is low cost and great at getting rid of odors is baking soda. This recipe is simple to create and you can relax knowing that you’re avoiding the harsh products found in a store-bought air freshener. 

• Ingredients:

  • Baking soda 

  • Natural scents, such as cinnamon sticks, rosemary, dried lavender flowers, dried orange peels, or essential oils

• Directions: 

1. Fill a jar of your choice halfway with baking soda. 

2. Add your natural scents to the jar. 

3. Mix the ingredients to make sure the scent is well dispersed.

4. Open the lid of your jar wherever you need to get rid of odors.

Check out the infographic below for more natural cleaning recipes. 

Expensive Hazards Around Your Home and What You Can Do About Them

All homeowners have maintenance that they need to take care of on occasion. However, some of these problems can actually become safety hazards, so they need to be taken care of right away. Here are some expensive hazards that can occur in your home as well as some ways that you can fix them.

Loose Flooring

Your flooring isn't meant to last forever. After a certain amount of time, you may notice that it no longer adheres to the floor as it once did. This can lead to you and your family members tripping or falling over loose floorboards, torn carpeting, or curling linoleum. If you do notice that your flooring is loose, try not to walk on it until you are able to get it replaced. Some homeowners try to tackle this project themselves, but it's best to leave it up to the professionals in order to make sure that it's done properly.

Dying Trees

Trees can start to die and rot because of things like harsh weather conditions or pests eating away at them. The tree's branches can become an expensive hazard as they can fall on your home if not taken care of. If you notice that you have a tree that's starting to rot, contact a tree removal service, like Pete & Ron's Tree Service, Inc., so that they can remove this tree from your yard for you.

Water Leaks

Many homeowners may have a water leak behind one of their walls that they aren't even aware of. Fortunately, there are some signs you can keep an eye out for that tell you this is occurring. If you notice that there's a water spot or peeling paint on one part of the wall, or if the wall is wet or feels soft, you may have a water leak. You can fix this by having a plumber come out to repair it for you. Don't put off having this fixed as it can turn into a catastrophic situation fairly quickly.

Broken Windows

A window can break for a variety of different reasons from kids playing in the yard to a burglar seeking entrance or a storm with high winds. Once a window is broken, though, it can put you and your family at risk. Fortunately, windows usually aren't that expensive, and a professional may be able to replace it in as little as a few hours.

While expensive hazards aren't something that any homeowner wants to deal with, they tend to be unavoidable. As you can see, you may encounter all sorts of expensive hazards in your home, but they can all be fixed. In order to keep the damage and costs to a minimum, you do need to take care of them quickly. This will ensure that you don't inadvertently put your family in harm's way. 

Guest Post - Essential Care Tips for a Metal Roof

Homeowners across the United States are quickly realizing the benefits of investing in a metal roof. This is especially popular for those within hotter climates as roofs made with metal materials such as steel absorb much less heat than the typical asphalt option. However, homeowners who may have never had a metal roof in their life may not have the right information in terms of its required maintenance. Thus the following includes a few of the most essential care tips for a metal roof. 

Yearly Corrosion Inspection 

It is well known that metal is susceptible to corrosion if enough water interacts with it. That is why it is so important to have a yearly inspection of your metal roof to see if any water has been pooling up. Pooling is caused by a variety of things, such as a strong thunderstorm or heavy rain season. However, they are also caused due to poor drainage system installation or a lack of maintenance on them. Your gutters are essential for a long-lasting rooftop and need to be regularly cleaned to prevent water from trying to find a way through your roof instead of just off of it. Corrosion is extremely damaging and often the reason why there's a need for total metal roof replacements. 

Cutting Long Tree Branches 

It is often not the lack of maintenance on the roof that causes damage to it but rather the tree branches around it. During violent wind or thunderstorms, branches can snap and slam hard onto your roof. If the branch is heavy enough and thrown with enough power, it can penetrate the material and, due the natural durability of metal roofs, is the one of the more common reasons you can incur damage. This is why it is imperative that either you or a professional take the time to trim these branches each year. 

Keep It Clean

Although it is certainly important to take steps to diminish potentially dangerous and costly repairs, it is also important to concentrate on maintaining your roof's aesthetics. After all, your roof is one of the most noticeable things on your home and a big factor in your overall curb appeal. You can keep your metal roof looking great year-round by simply ensuring that you take the time every few months to clean off any dirt, mud, and other debris that has accumulated. In addition, you may take this time to inspect your metal roof and apply the tips listed above. 

Metal roofs are a great addition to any home; however, it is important to understand the maintenance requirements that they come with. Utilize the tips listed above to ensure that your metal roof will last you for years to come.

Author Bio

Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. You can connect with her on Facebook right here and Twitter right here.