Being a homeowner can be a lot of work, but it is also fun and rewarding. Homeowners can reasonably expect to spend up to three percent of the home’s value on annual home improvements. However, you can always cut costs; let’s look at some smart ways you can save money while you maintain and improve your dream home.
Update any room with new flooring. You can install laminate flooring on your own and it is nearly indestructible.
Pick out a unique coffee table as opposed to a pre-made one. An old chest or piece of luggage used as a coffee table can double as storage space. To create some definition on your coffee table, throw some books, magazines and accessories on it. You can even add a tablecloth and some decorative teacups if you want a more country look.
Use the area between the rafters of your ceiling and the joists of your floor for storing building materials. Long pieces of molding and even larger materials like two by fours can be stored up and out of the way just with a little effort on your part. Just add some furring strips to two exposed floor joists.
Changing the lighting in your home can make a dramatic difference. A bright room can make your house inviting and warm. Installing more lights can help you improve the lighting situation in a room. Adding more light to a dark room can have a big impact on your house.
Create a plan before starting a landscaping project to ensure that fits with the look of your home. When a garden or patio area matches the style of the rest of your home, then this brings cohesion to the whole property, where clashing styles may look unattractive or unplanned.
Although individual solar lights come in many styles and are cheap, they usually don’t add much value to your home. If you truly need lighting that will highlight a walkway and illuminate your path, invest in electric models. They do cost more, but work better and for longer.
For all except the very smallest home improvement projects, putting together an estimate of all the building materials required before starting work is vital. You can save money if you purchase material in bulk. Make sure that items you will need are in stock or order them well in advance of the time you will need them. Failing to order them in advance can stall your project.
As you improve your house, be certain to put your personal touch on things while making sure not to diverge too much from your neighbors. Your home needs to blend in to the neighborhood, not stick out like a sore thumb. You might not be able to sell your home if this is the case.
Use windows with secondary glazing. These windows cost more, but they lower energy bills and reduce outside noise. Think about using this on your next home improvement project to help save some money in the future. They will help keep a comfortable temperature in the home as well as a nice quiet atmosphere to live in.
Setting your budget for home improvement projects or major renovations during the early parts of the year is generally a good idea. Thanks to the holidays, your resources during these months are rather limited. If you feel stressed about your project budget, you may become stressed; budgeting early in the year can help to alleviate the pinch you feel around the holidays.
Examine your lot to look for areas where the soil is low. You should fill these areas with compacted soil in order to prevent erosion and pooling of water. Any water that collects near to your home’s foundation could seep into the house, and even rot wooden areas.
With all you have learned here about home improvement, you are more ready than ever to tackle that home improvement store and not break your bank account. You can save money and still improve your home. You can have the best of both worlds!