Your house might be feeling worse for wear nowadays, but maybe you feel like it could be better and can be improved in ways that may not be clear at first.
You know that your home needs some reworking, but you’re not sure what to do or where to start.
The good news is that we’ve done the homework for you and come up with our own list of top home improvements that are simple to do yet deliver when it comes to increasing the value of your home — a bonus if you’re thinking of selling it at some point.
To start with…
1.Consider hardwood flooring
Hardwood stands over the top of the lists of many homeowners looking for new flooring, and for good reason.
For starters, they are quite easy to clean while also being minimal maintenance. Compare it to carpets, where many an accidental coffee or milk spill has likely ruined the texture while also giving it a nasty stench in the process.
Gross! Now you have to throw it in the washer too!
Spills on hardwood floors, on the other hand, are much easier to clean by mopping or sweeping, as spills do not get absorbed and instead stay up on top of the floor.
On the aesthetic side, hardwood floors are just beautiful, and can instantly boost a room just by virtue of being there, as it gives the room a nice natural air inside. Plus, they are non-allergenic.
An important point that you should consider is how flexible hardwood is.
You likely don’t have to replace the entire floor if you want to refinish your wood in a different color. It is also much easier to repair.
The initial costs of purchasing hardwood might seem quite steep, but it is a well-worth investment, especially when you consider just how easy it is to install as well as how long-lasting it is when properly maintained.
2.Use different window furnishings
You would think that windows are not that big of a deal and should be ignored, but not quite.
When decorating, it is easy enough to focus on the obvious bits, like slipcovered sofas and paintings, but the more subtle and nuanced parts of the room like our windows tend not get too much attention.
This is a mistake.
Your windows provide support and contrast to the room’s atmosphere and should also be given the focus it deserves.
From curtains to window shutters and roller blinds, each furnishing has its role in enhancing a room.
Let us examine some of them:
Curtains
Being the most flexible furnishing among the three, curtains stand the test of time in being a wonderful decoration that enhances a room.
Heavy material or light, blue or red, the choice is yours.
You have the advantage of going for made to measure curtains that can be tailored specifically to you and your room’s needs.
Window shutters
While not having as much flexibility in terms of design in comparison to curtains, one cannot overlook the aesthetic as well as the practical usage of shutters.
They are wonderful in regulating the light that enters as well as being great insulators. Not only that, they are much easier to clean than curtains, which have to be washed.
In terms of aesthetics, you can still find a lot of options, such as the wide range of styles and designs (classic, panel and plantation) that will suit your style and the room you are going for.
Roller blinds
Roller blinds are ideal for the modern minimalist-inclined person.
But in comparison to curtains and shutters, there are even fewer designs to choose from when it comes to roller blinds.
However, for most of us, this lack of options won’t matter since their simplicity in design and ease of use makes it prime choice for those going for a more minimalist and simple style.
3.Landscape your garden
The outside of your house matters just as much as the inside.
It’s what guests will see before they even enter your doorway, so of course, you want to keep it as presentable as possible.
You can go about it in different ways.
For instance, if you’re into gardening, then you can create an elaborate garden that is sure to wow your guests.
But if you don’t plan to stay where you are permanently, keep it low maintenance to keep it as tidy as possible. Consider placing plants or urns on either side of a curve to “show” your guests where the entrance is.
Basically, you want to emphasize the entryway to make it appear grander. It is your home, after all.
You should also consider the color of your house when you design.
It is just as important on the outside for your guests to understand what kind of design you want your house to highlight.
Is it a comfortable blue? How do you want the plants and flowers outside to look in comparison? Maybe sprinkle some red and orange flowers, or keep the blue theme?
You can also consider repainting your house’s exterior if you have the funds to do so to make it more in line on what you want the outside of your house to look.
It is also important to think about the seasons. Will your designs last through all seasons, or only one? Shrubs and trees get a fresh look every season, giving design benefits that change as seasons come and go.
4.Refresh your driveway
Not every part of your house needs a rigorous redesigning to make it feel homely. Take for instance, your driveway. How does it look? Does it look as wonderful as it did on day one? Maybe it has some cracks here and there?
Getting parts of it repaired while also having professional pressure washing clean the road should make it feel brand spanking new.
Remember, all parts of your house count toward a nice environment, so do not sleep on what seems to be unnoticeable at first glance!
5.Make your home ‘smarter’
This is something our ancestors could only dream of having.
We are in the digital age, which means that we have access to a lot of advanced technology, and we should really be taking advantage of that.
Have lights around your house or porch turn on at pre-set times. Have your sprinkler system ready to go without you having to be around to flip the switch yourself.
Not only do you not have to worry about doing these things yourself, it is always a dazzling sight to see things turn on automatically without needing the help of a human.
It’s like magic, except not really. It’s science!
6.Transform your basement into a living area
Having a storage room is nice, it functions as, well, storage for all those extra goodies you have around!
But take a step back and actually examine it. Is this really meant to be the fate of what could be another great room?
It is not something that needs to be drastically changed instantly, especially if you have a lot of items dumped in there. It’s just that maybe you could consider doing something about those hanging cobwebs.
Considering how people are looking for more rooms that they can use around their homes, investing in fixing up your basement, broken chairs, reupholstering your old sofas that would otherwise sit around collecting dust if you can is a wonderful idea.
While it likely won’t have the nice windows and ventilation that other rooms have, you can still turn it into a perfectly serviceable living room space without having to undergo major renovations.
Some deep cleaning and changing of materials such as flooring and painting the walls will do, while adding some nice furniture like couches and even some indoor plants to give the room a more natural feel will turn it into another nice relaxing hangout spot.
As you can see, there are so many ways you can fix up your home to make it a brighter place than before. Some of them are grand, such as complete room revisions, while other are more subtle and nuanced, such as making your driveway look new.
The important thing to remember here is that when making your house better; don’t just consider the main part of it — consider every inch, every nook and cranny that you can find, because they are also part of what makes the room the way it is.
Yorkshire Fabric Shop is an upholstery and furnishing fabric supplier that’s based in the heart of the United Kingdom where we serve customers from all over the world. We offer upholstery fabrics for sofas, chairs, cushions, curtains, beds and whatever else you can imagine.
Feature photo: Brian Babb/Unsplash