7 Budget-Friendly Curb Appeal Makeovers

Our parents always told us that beauty comes from the inside, but when we talk about houses, it’s what’s on the outside that counts, too. No matter how cozy and stylish your interior design is, you need to invest a bit into the exterior as well. Such investment will pay off since it can bring many benefits for you and your house, while its curb appeal can add to its value. However, you must know which projects will pay off.

house 2.jpg

Landscaping

A lush and green front yard will completely change the atmosphere of the whole house. While dry and neglected yards exude emptiness and a bit eerie atmosphere, great landscaping can give a fresh look and healthy feel to the entire property. You can plant a lot of plants and perennials that will provide color and depth to the whole yard. Also, you can decorate the yard more with a few stone paths and even a smaller fountain.

Windows

If your windows are quite old, chances are that they waste energy and heat. Plus, they probably don’t look very nice from the outside, either. That is why you should consider replacing the old ones with new, energy-efficient windows, which will save you plenty of energy and money. Additionally, you can always repaint the new front windows to match the exterior design and keep the atmosphere of the whole façade.

building-731446_640

Façade

The façade is the face of your home and it should shine. For a start, you will need better insulation in order to preserve energy in your home. This can easily be done by updating or replacing your cladding systems and resolving all the insulation problems. Additionally, you can improve the curb appeal by repainting the façade. If the paint has started peeling off, or you just simply don’t like it anymore you should find a new, neutral color that will save the day. It’s best to stick to such neutral colors, because you can later add contrast with details and still keep everything classy.

Entry Doors

Entry door replacement will certainly pay off in the long run. It is a chance for you to provide more security for your home, while at the same time you are working on the curb appeal. If you like wood, custom made doors are vastly available, but if you want more security, you can always opt for a steel front door. Moreover, if you choose an unusual color, or simply repaint the existing doors into a bolder shade, you will provide contrast and an amazing wow factor for your exterior design.

P15VNVN9KB.jpg

Garage Doors

Replace the garage doors to match your home’s age, style and enhanced look. New, shiny and functional garage doors will provide the needed security and they will contribute to the curb appeal. While you are at it, you can upgrade the material of the doors and opt for wood, steel, aluminum or fiberglass, depending on your set budget and style of the entire design. Also, make sure you opt for the sturdiest material that will protect your car and other belongings, while it should be easy to maintain as well.

Deck Addition

Decks are always popular addition to a home and they can bring plenty of benefits. They expand the existing living space because they can serve as an entertainment, dine or relaxation area. Also, they are always appealing to potential buyers and can greatly increase the value of your property. Additionally, if you choose to add a wooden deck, it will perfectly blend into any design and it will contribute to the overall curb appeal and your neighbors will envy you.

Owning a home is a lifetime commitment and there is always something to improve. However, you shouldn’t despair over it. Rather choose projects that will pay off in the future and that can add value and curb appeal to the house.

Great Tips To Help Create The Perfect Basement Bedroom

bedroom-416063_640

There is a point in all of our lives when we wish to have a bit more space in our homes. That need usually comes when we have friends or relatives staying over and we don’t have enough space for everyone to sleep peacefully. However, there is a simple solution to such problems – a basement bedroom. Basements are usually neglected in homes, but they can actually be transformed into a comfortable spare room. So, if your basement is not finished, this is your chance to make it look like a dream bedroom.

Have an Escape Plan

In most countries, a local building code says that every basement living space must have an emergency escape and rescue openings. However, even if your local authorities are not particular about it, you should have an emergency escape plan for the sake of your own safety and the safety of your family. Even if your neighborhood is quiet and friendly, you never know when a fire or natural disaster might occur, and having an escape plan in your basement can be a life saver. The best and smartest option is to install egress windows, which will not only provide a convenient escape route, but they will let plenty of natural light in the room.


construction-370583_960_720

Thorough Inspection

Even though your basement seems okay to you, you can never know in what state it is unless you are an expert. The first thing you need to know is whether there is a possibility of converting the basement into a living space, and it is hard to do so without the experts, such is building inspection Sydney. The experts will tell you if the ceiling is high enough for the space to be used; they will pinpoint any weak spots of the structure and tell you how to fix them; they will even help you plan a good escape route and they will make sure the foundation and installations are functional.

Ceiling and Flooring

Basement bedroom will need to look cozy and elegant, and the best solution for that is a drywall finish with a few decorative ceiling beams. Such walls and ceiling will give the room a distinct identity, while preserving the ambiance as close to the other rooms in your home as possible. Also, no matter how big the basement is, you should stick to the style and color schemes that you already have in the rest of the house in order to provide the sense of continuity. As far as flooring is concerned, solid wood flooring is not the option in the basement. This is due to the humidity and possible temperature variations which can greatly affect and bend the wood. Instead, you can opt for laminate tile and carpets; you can even choose a stylish rug to enhance and elevate the look of the new bedroom.

hotel-room-1447201_640

Let There Be Light

Light is important in each home, but it is as twice as important in the basement bedroom. Since natural source of light is limited, you have to choose artificial lighting fixtures wisely. Opt for layers of lighting that will enhance the atmosphere in the bedroom and still keep it cozy. Have a couple of bedside scones for late night reading and add ceiling fixtures and space them through the room evenly. However, if possible, provide as much natural light as possible because it can greatly improve the air quality in the basement while providing warmth.

Go for Luxury

No matter who uses the new bedroom, you should always go for luxury. That is, you should invest in a luxurious comfy bed with quality bedding in order to create the perfect bedroom retreat. Add a few thick comforters and pillows, find fitted bed skirt and pillow shams and you will instantly elevate the room’s design and atmosphere. You can also invest in a few more luxurious bedroom accessories, or create the staircase you always dreamed of.

Don’t be a homeowner with a shabby basement that has no purpose. If you are patient and creative enough, you can create a dream bedroom for your own personal use or for all of your guests.

Greening Up A Historic Home By Zoe Clark

1Victorian homes are the most romantic and elegant properties to live in. There is so much history and enchantment hiding in their every cranny, nook and secret compartment. They are built in the distant period between the 1837 and 1901, so you see why it may be difficult for these houses to keep track of all the challenges the present day is placing in front of them. Although Victorian homes surely aren’t lacking a thing when it comes to refines of their architecture, there are some room for improvements in the area of energy-efficiency, which is something the architects didn’t have to worry about during the reign of Queen Victoria. So, if you are living in one of these old beauties, here are a few things that might help you with lowering your energy bills and reducing your carbon footprint.

Insulate the “Old Lady”

2

Has anyone ever told you your house is breathing? If your old home is older than a century, you can probably expect a lot of gaps between boards in walls and ceiling, as well as a few around the doors and windows. Seal them to prevent warmth from leaving your apartment (and coming in if we are talking about hot summer days). Later, you should add insulation to the attic. In most cases, you don’t even have to remove the existing layer before applying the new one. Examine the HVAC system to see if there is a need for sealing them.

Making Your Windows Greener

If you want to get more efficient windows in a new house, you should install double or triple glazed windows. With historic homes, the situation is a bit different. Removing the old windows and replacing them with the new ones would affect the historic appearance of the building. A neat alternative is to supplement your old windows with storm windows, so you can save energy without affecting the historic character of your property.

3

Use Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs

If there is one change you can make that is affordable and doesn’t harm the historic appearance of your house in any way, that is replacing your old incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent variety (CFL).

Replace Old Appliances

Just because your house is built in 19th century doesn’t mean you have to use an icebox instead of a modern refrigerator. On the contrary, because of the growing popularity of “vintage” you will find a lot of historically-looking appliances with modern features. Still, the most important thing to look for when searching through appliance stores are the Energy Star rated devices.

4

Control the Heating

Old homes are designed in times when each room was heated separately using open fires, which was more efficient than heating each room separately. The transition to a modern heating system did no good to historic homes and their heating bills. Address this issue by manually controlling the valves in each room, or by getting a programmable Wi-Fi radiator or installing a smart thermostat.

Reduce Your Water Consumption

Electricity is not the only resource that is being wasted in a non-energy-efficient home. Water can also be a great chunk of the monthly bills, especially if you are dealing with problems typical for older houses, such as water-guzzling showerheads and toilets, and leaky faucets. Replace them all with low-flow models, which are energy-efficient and can save you up to 77 percent of the water usage.

So you see, old houses can learn new tricks, but only when the owners are willing to invest time, money and effort in them. Sure, Victorian houses are a habitat to wish for, but that doesn’t mean they too don’t have their flaws. Do your best to improve them, so that they are bringing you more joy while taking less money from you.

Unmatched & Mismatched Socks Stuffed Snake

44310_794621863897624_1887458781_n

Cut the foot part of socks off and overlap them one onto another until you get desired length. You can sew or use glue to attach to each other. The sock you use to make the head you leave the foot on. Stuff with poly fiber. Add buttons for eyes and a felt tongue. Use this same design and stuff with dried beans to put an end to a cold draft under a door or in a window sill.

4 Ways To Use Shower Curtain Rings To Organize Your Closet

Pam Hoepner's avatarLife, Creatively Organized.

www.lifecreativelyorganized.com 4 easy ways to use shower curtain rings to organize your closet

You cannot beat 12 shower curtain rings for a dollar, and they are so versatile! I will share other ways to use them around your house in later posts, but here are 4 simple ways to make your closet more organized.

Here are 4 easy ways to make your closet more organized using inexpensive shower curtain rings.

Shower curtain rings can be used to organize all over your house Shower curtain rings can be used to organize all over your house

You cannot beat 12 shower curtain rings for a dollar, and they are so versatile!  I will share other ways to use them around your house in later posts, but here are 4 simple ways to make your closet more organized.

Purses

purse storagehowdoesshe.com

Easy-peasy.  Hang purses up by the straps onto the rings, then the rings right onto the rod. This makes them so much easier to see and they…

View original post 210 more words