6 Renovations to Consider When Upgrading Your Home

Whether you’re planning to sell or simply looking for a refreshed look, there are some key aspects you can focus on to give your home that new feel without having to break the bank. While some of the updates are more costly than others, they are much easier and more impactful for their price than an entire house remodel.

1. HVAC System
   One key to making your house feel more like a home is being comfortable when you’re in it. Keeping it consistently cool in the summer and warm in the winter can help you feel cozy and content all year round. Most HVAC systems gave lifespans of roughly 20 years. The older they get, the less efficient they become, making your home inconsistent in temperature. Not to mention, the harder your system has to work, the higher your utility bill will get. If your HVAC system is nearing the end of its rope, consider calling a specialist for an upgrade.

2. New Paint
   A fresh coat of paint and some touch-ups here and there can really elevate the feel of your home. Whether it’s covering up some scuffs and stains in a well-loved room or deciding on some new colors for an accent wall, there is no limit to what paint and some creativity can do for your home. Additionally, a fresh new interior paint job is relatively easy and inexpensive compared to other home updates. You can head to the home improvement store, pick out some paint, grab the right tools, and do it yourself. No need to pay someone to do it for you. Plus, it can make for a great family bonding activity.

3. Curb Appeal
   Curb appeal refers to the look of the exterior of your home. It is an important aspect when it comes to selling a house, as many prospective buyers are drawn in by the exterior. But updating your curb appeal doesn’t have to be overwhelming and expensive. There are small updates you can make that will leave it looking brand new. Some improvements to consider include power-washing the outside, redoing the lawn or front garden, repaving the driveway, upgrading the garage doors, or choosing some outside accents, like new window panes or gutters to elevate the look of the home.

4. Outdoor Area

   If your home has an outdoor area, patio, or backyard, there are a variety of quick home improvements you can do to elevate that space. This can include updating the outdoor lighting by adding string lights, trimming, and pruning bushes and other shrubberies for a cleaner look, redoing a stone walking path, or even just switching out your outdoor furniture for some new, cleaner pieces. For more expensive outdoor remodels, consider installing an outdoor cooking grill for entertaining or perhaps a small hot tub area for relaxing with family.

5. Kitchen Remodel
   Kitchen remodels are an excellent way to upgrade the feel of your home. Because the kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the home, ensuring that it feels updated can be very advantageous when selling down the road. Though kitchen remodels can get expensive, there are some smaller updates that can leave your home feeling elevated but at a lower cost. Some of the smaller improvements include upgrading your appliances so they match e.g. all stainless steel, redoing the sinks and the faucet hardware, and regrouting and replacing the old floor tiles with new ones.
   

6. Open Space
   Open space floor plans have been a popular option in many homes for quite some time. The open space concept makes smaller homes feel larger and promotes a more cohesive and unified living environment. While it may seem daunting, open space floor plans don’t have to mean tearing down entire walls—though you could if you wanted. But rather, most people opt for removing parts of walls to open up the room, which is both less expensive and less time-consuming. 

The Bottom Line

Home remodels can really elevate the look and feel of a house. Whether you’re hoping to sell or just want a new feel, these improvements can help raise the value of your home without breaking the bank. Additionally, these smaller fixes allow you to be creative in transforming your living space into something exciting and new. 

How to Make Your Home Baby-Friendly

Once the baby arrives, it’s easy to see just how much trouble they can get into when they start crawling or walking. The best way to make sure the home is safe is to get on their level and see what might look interesting to a baby. Today, there are numerous products designed to make the home baby-friendly and to help keep the baby safe as they grow and learn more about the environment around them.

Have Safe Places for the Baby

Always make sure there’s a safe place for the baby to be when your hands need to be free. A baby swing is typically well-received by babies and can be a great place to put them while you finally sip that cup of coffee you made an hour ago. Pack ‘n plays and similar products are also a great way to contain the baby when needed, but make sure they’re always under supervision.

Keep Bathrooms Secured

Bathrooms should be secured at all times to keep the baby out. Along with the risk of drowning, babies can flush things down the toilet, causing a huge plumbing bill, or end up burning themselves by turning on the hot water and splashing it or putting their hand in it without knowing it’s hot.

Keep Them in The Crib – Or Get a Toddler Bed

Once the child starts to climb, it’s probably time to move them to a toddler bed. There’s no set age for moving from the crib to the toddler bed, but experts agree it should be done before the kid can climb out. They can easily fall when trying to get out on their own, while they are less likely to get hurt if they get in and out of a toddler bed at night.

Use Safety Straps on Heavy Furniture

Heavy furniture can cause severe injuries or death if it tips over on the child. Safety straps are available for almost any type of furniture, from dressers to bookshelves and TVs. Purchase as many straps as needed and make sure all furniture that could be tipped over or that is heavy will be mounted to the wall.

Cover Outlets Not in Use

Outlets look interesting to someone too little to know what they are. Many kids end up shocked because they decide to stick something into the odd-looking hole in the wall. If an outlet isn’t being used, make sure it is covered. Check out products designed to help keep things from being unplugged, as well, to make sure the child can’t get to any of the outlets.

Tie Up the Window Blinds Cord

The cords for blinds may not be something many parents think about, but it’s all too easy for a young child to end up tangled in them, and some have died as a result. Instead, tie up the cord to the blinds to keep it out of reach. If the budget allows, opt for cordless blinds throughout the house to eliminate this risk.

Block Off the Stairs

Stairs can be incredibly dangerous for babies, so make sure they’re baby-proofed. In two-story homes, have something to stop the kid from going up or down the stairs. For porches and decks, it may only be necessary to block the child from going down, as they’ll be supervised more closely if they’re playing in the yard.

Keep Cleaning Products Out of Reach

Many people set down cleaning products between working on different parts of the house or opt to place cleaning products under the kitchen sink. With a baby, doing either of these can be dangerous. Instead, make sure cleaning products are always out of reach for the baby, even if they’re being used, and that the child can’t get to them. Ready for the baby to clean? Use gentle products or just offer a rag with water. It’s not going to get deep stains, but they’ll get to practice cleaning without access to dangerous chemicals.

Stop Doors From Slamming

Most people have experienced a finger caught in the door. Whether the concern is kids catching their finger in the door or slamming the door to the home, there are products to help. A variety of products are designed to prevent the door from closing completely. The product can be removed easily when it’s not needed, but during the day, it can be kept in place to make sure little fingers are safe.

Are you starting to notice just how dangerous the house can be for a baby? There’s a lot for them to explore and do, but there are plenty of things that can harm them, as well. Make sure you’re ready for the baby by going through this list and baby-proofing the house. Once it’s more kid-friendly, you won’t have to worry as much about some of the more serious injuries that can occur in the home. 

Ways to Spruce Up Your Dining Room

While hanging artwork and beautiful chandeliers might be some of the obvious ways to spruce up a dining room, there are plenty of approaches you can take when you're considering your decor. As you work to create a gorgeous dining room, consider implementing the following tips.

Paint the Ceiling

Most people focus on the four walls of a room when it’s time to paint. However, don't forget about the ceiling. There's so much that can be done to a ceiling in order to make a major statement. Consider painting the ceiling a specific color. Colors like slate gray, navy blue, and gold can elevate the entire vibe of a room. Think about a stunning wallpaper install to provide artistic flair and texture.

Install New Furniture

While a great DIY project might be a ton of fun with thrift store furniture and a can of paint, there are times when you just need to upgrade. By investing in new dining room furniture, you'll create a certain appeal that is elevated and chic. By taking good care of the furniture, it can also last and serve as a great investment. Try to avoid trendy styles of furniture. You can Infuse trends through the accessories and decorations that surround the furniture. Classic options will help you to develop a timeless look while still maintaining relevant beauty.

Add Stunning Window Treatments

You have windows in your dining room, don't just hang the boring white plastic blinds. Instead, elevate the look of your windows by layering. A great window treatment involves layers and textures. For starters, pick out a set of blinds in a different texture such as bamboo or wood. This adds depth and interest. It's also nice to change the fabrics of your window treatments as the seasons change. During the colder months, use a thicker fabric such as velvet. Velvet can look really luxurious in a dining room. During the warmer months, use a simple linen fabric or cotton in order to create a lighter look. Throughout the seasons, you can also layer the blinds with a sheer panel to add extra dimension.

Add Rugs

Even if you have carpet, a great rug will make the area look more contained, and it provides a sense of uniformity. Before you purchase a large rug, be sure to get the correct measurements of your furniture. Your dining room rug should fit all of the dining room chairs and the table. If it's too small, it'll defeat the purpose.

If you map out a plan and pull inspiration from online photos and magazines, it'll be much easier to curate the look of your dreams. Even if you're just looking to spruce up the appeal, these tips can quickly make your room look as though it were designed by a professional.

Reasons to Upgrade the Electrical Wiring in Your Home

The wiring in your home is responsible for carrying power to all of the electrical equipment in your house, including lights, computers, and televisions. When you upgrade the wiring in your home to include more safety features like grounding wires or surge protection, you will decrease the risk of fires caused by faulty wiring. Here, we will explore four reasons why upgrading the electrical wiring in your home can benefit both cost savings and peace of mind.

To Bring Your Home Electrical System Up to Code

Suppose you bought your home and intend to live in it for a while or want to resell it one day; having the electrical system updated by a qualified electrician will make some potential buyers more comfortable. The local building codes change constantly, and older wiring systems may not meet these new requirements. Upgrading the electrical wiring in your home ensures that both you and any future owners are safe from faulty wiring.

To Prevent the House From Fire Hazards

The National Fire Protection Association reports that faulty electrical wiring is the number one cause of house fires and claims more than 600 lives every year. Every home should have some surge protection installed to help prevent electrical surges from damaging your appliances and burning down your house. Surge protectors are relatively cheap for what they do in preventing damage to you and your home.

To Meet Power Need of New Appliances

As new appliances are added to your home, you may find that they need more power than your current wiring can handle. Upgrading the electrical system in your house by adding circuit breakers will allow you to have enough electricity for all of your devices. This ensures that they run at their peak performance and allows for future upgrades.

To Take Advantage of Home Renovation Opportunities

Home renovations are a great way to add value to your home and improve your quality of life. These renovations can often be completed at a fraction of the cost of moving. Upgrading the electrical wiring in your home allows you to take advantage of some of these home renovation opportunities without having to worry about the safety of your family.

Deciding to upgrade the electrical wiring in your home is a wise choice that can provide both safety and cost benefits. By taking into account some of the reasons listed above, you can be sure that you are making the best decision for your family and your home.