10 ways to show your home some love!
Everyone likes to be shown they’re loved. It’s what keeps relationships healthy. the same goes for loving our home. It needs to be shown a little love, too. Here are some ways to show your home that you really care.
1. Plan a date!
Every relationship needs nurturing and care. We have to make the time for the special people in our lives, it’s no different with our homes. Plan a date with your home to take care of the special things, from a deep cleaning, to a thorough maintenance checkup or a specific remodeling project. Schedule it on your calendar and stick to it, even when you may get another offer that sounds better or like more fun, commit to the date and project. Your home will love you for it!
2. Take a quiz together
You’d probably rather be shopping, watching a game on T.V or giving the dog a bath, but keeping your home in good shape is important. Taking good care of it with regular maintenance is vital to maintaining its value and ensuring it will provide a comfortable, safe shelter for you and your family, Do you know what temperature should your water heater be set? Take this home maintenance quiz that will test your maintenance knowledge and give you some simple answers and ideas for home maintenance.
3. Don’t be shy, turn on the lights!
Make some eco friendly updates. There are many ways to go green, one of the easiest is to start with the lighting in your home. Switching over to LED lighting can be costly upfront, but will save you money in the long run and be great for our enviorment. Here is a handy buyers guide that weighs the pros and cons of the different options available for light-bulbs.
4. Protect yourself
Did you know that the Combined Insurance Companies published a report on household accidents. It stated that there had been 37,000 motor-vehicle fatalities during that year, and believe it or not, there had been 31,500 accidental deaths in and around homes during the same period. They also said that about eighty percent of these household accidents were definitely preventable. From slippery bathtubs to loose hand rails, there are many things to check for and simple fixes to make your home safer.
Check out this great advice from chapter 12 of of How to Take Care of Your Home
5. Air out the staleness
After a while every relationship can get a little stale. That’s why it’s important to breathe a little fresh air into it. The same goes for your home. Open all of the windows (a good way to see how they are working too, or if they may need a little maintenance) let in the fresh air for about 15 to 20 minutes each week. This will help clear out any stale odors and freshen things up.
6. Check out what the Jones’ are up to
It’s important to keep tabs on what the other homes in your neighborhood are up to. The value or your home can be directly affected by the other homes and their condition and upgrades. Your Realtor will be happy to give you a neighborhood snapshot of values and can also let you know what amenities/home upgrades that recent home sales show.
7. Renew and Improve
One of the best ways to show your home love is to keep it updated and maintained. Check out the Top 15 Home Updates from HGTV. Aside from enjoying your home with an updated kitchen, bath or bedroom, these improvements will help keep your homes value where it should be. It can be as simple as a fresh coat of paint or something more involved such as a total kitchen remodel. Use this calculator to see what kind of payoff your project will have. Your home will appreciate your efforts!
8. Remember the Small things
Sometimes it’s the smallest gestures that make a relationship sweet. Cleaning scuff marks off of the walls or baseboards or tightening any loose hinges on a loose kitchen cabinet door can be little ways to show your home some love. Maybe it’s just cleaning out one closet or drawer, it doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. Your home will love less clutter too. There are many ways to simplify things in your life and home, here are some great ideas from Real Simple.
9. Bring on the Bling
Who doesn’t like a new pair of shoes or a great sweater? Your home loves accessories too! New pillows, or an area rug are an easy start, fresh towels and linens are another way to add love and comfort to your home. Are your walls tired of the pictures on them? What about your mantle? You don’t have to buy new things to add bling to your home. You can repurpose items from the attic or other rooms in your home. You can swap with friends or hit local thrift stores too. For some cool ideas check out Pinterest
10. Last by not least..Don’t forget the flowers!
Don’t you love getting flowers? Your home does too! Inside they brighten up a table or counter top, add color and lovely scent and they can accent your own unique style and design. You can keep them fresh for at least a week! Watch this video for great tips on how to keep your fresh flowers looking great. Outside they can bring life to a tired landscape. Flowers along a walkway or in pots by the front door create a welcoming feeling for you and your guest coming up to your home. Check out this Plant Guide at Better Homes and Gardens for ideas and inspiration. Flowers bring a smile and can brighten even the cloudiest of days.
To make a house a home, you have to add love…
“Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.”
`Oliver Wendell Homes
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