With the stay-at-home orders caused by the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S., your home is probably starting to feel a little stuffy. Considering this and the fact that health experts say that easing up on restrictions too early could lead to more outbreaks (according to USA Today), you’re probably going to want to change your surroundings a bit.
As a homeowner, it’s always a good idea to be making improvements to your home to ensure the value of your biggest investment. For a great way to freshen up your home, try one (or more) of these three ideas.
1. Add Personal Style
Whether it’s to decorate a new home or to revamp the home you’ve been living in for years, updating the interior design can make an old shabby space feel like a completely different room. With enough style tips for your home, you can easily make any space feel more fun and relaxing. You can do little things to change up the feel of the whole house, or you can go all in and purchase some upgrades.
If you’re on a budget, simply moving furniture around, painting the bookshelves, adding decorative objects (vases, candles, baskets for storage, etc.), adding some unique throw pillows to the beds, or adding a pop of color to certain rooms with a fresh coat of paint or bright pillows and decorative rugs can liven up the place. Anything that helps the room better display your personality.
For a more extensive redo, you can add a different piece of furniture to a room such as a new coffee table in the living room, a new desk in the office, a new dining room table, new curtains to add a different texture to a room, or new nightstands in the bedrooms. You could also hire a contractor to add a fireplace in the living room. Our homes should feel like an escape from the stresses of the outside world, so make sure your new style inspires calm.
2. Consider A Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters provide a long list of benefits including an endless supply of hot water. No more cold showers when you’re last in line for the bathroom. With a tankless water heater, you can run the dishwasher, the washing machine, and the shower all within a few hours (unless you install multiple tankless systems, you may not be able to run everything simultaneously). The tankless water heater’s lack of a tank means that cold water travels through it and is heated only when you need it. Only heating the water as you use it saves a substantial amount of energy. Everyone needs hot water, and everyone would like to save some money on their energy costs, which is probably the biggest benefit of a tankless water heater.
A tankless water heater gives your home more energy efficiency (being anywhere from 24–34 percent more energy efficient for homes that use 41 gallons of water daily), which will save you money on your energy consumption. They also tend to last longer than a traditional water heater, according to Energy Saver. One of the only cons of a tankless water heater is that the initial costs are higher, but you usually gain this money back from the lower operating costs. Plus, unlike traditional tank water heaters, the tankless water heater has the option of replacement parts, which can also cut costs and extend life expectancy (according to Energy Saver).
3. Add Curb Appeal
Even if you plan on keeping your home forever, you’re going to want to ensure a good resale value. According to a recent article published by CNBC, home improvement projects that increased curb appeal increased resale value the most. In fact, a new garage door showed a 94 percent return investment, and adding stone veneer increased return investment by 92 percent.
Finding different ways to spruce up the front of your home is also a good idea. For example, replacing the outdoor light fixtures, adding a decorative knocker, or adding a nice walkway can all increase the style of your home. If you’re on a budget, simply painting the front door or planting some flowers in the front yard can make all the difference.
