Ways to Enhance the Curb Appeal of your Home

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The curb appeal of a home is important for a variety of reasons. It not only makes the home more inviting and attractive, but it also adds value to the property. Enhancing the curb appeal of your home does not have to be a difficult or expensive task. There are many simple and affordable ways to make your home look its best. In this article, we will discuss some effective ways to enhance the curb appeal of your home.

  1. Improve Your Landscaping

One of the easiest and most effective ways to enhance your home’s curb appeal is to improve your landscaping. A well-maintained lawn, trimmed shrubs, and colorful flowers can make a huge difference in the appearance of your home. Consider hiring a professional landscaper to help design and maintain your yard. They can help you choose the right plants and flowers that will thrive in your climate, and create a beautiful and inviting outdoor space.

  1. Update Your Front Door

The front door is one of the first things people notice when they approach your home. Consider updating your front door with a fresh coat of paint or replacing it altogether. Choose a color that complements the exterior of your home and adds visual interest. You can also add a decorative door knocker or new hardware to give your door a more custom look.

  1. Install New Windows

New windows can significantly enhance the appearance of your home. They can improve energy efficiency, reduce noise, and increase security. Choose windows that are in keeping with the architectural style of your home and that complement the color and design of the exterior. There are many different styles of windows to choose from, including double-hung, casement, and sliding.

  1. Add Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting can add an extra layer of security to your home, while also enhancing its curb appeal. Consider adding outdoor lighting along your walkway, driveway, and around your front door. Choose fixtures that complement the style of your home and that provide enough light to ensure safety and visibility.

  1. Repair or Replace Your Roof

The roof is one of the most important components of your home’s exterior. A damaged or worn roof can detract from the overall appearance of your home and also lead to more serious problems, such as leaks and water damage. Consider repairing or replacing your roof to improve the curb appeal and functionality of your home.

  1. Power Wash Your Exterior

Over time, dirt, grime, and mold can accumulate on the exterior of your home, which can make it look dingy and uninviting. Consider hiring a professional power washing service to clean your exterior and remove any built-up dirt and grime. This will help your home look clean and fresh.

  1. Update Your Garage Door

The garage door is another prominent feature of many homes, and updating it can significantly enhance the curb appeal of your property. Consider replacing your garage door with a new model that complements the style of your home and adds visual interest. You can also add decorative hardware or windows to give your garage door a more custom look.

  1. Add Shutters or Window Boxes

Shutters and window boxes can add a charming and decorative touch to your home’s exterior. Choose shutters that complement the color and style of your home and that provide an additional layer of security. Window boxes can be used to display colorful flowers or other decorative elements that add visual interest to your home.

  1. Paint Your Exterior

Finally, consider painting your home’s exterior to give it a fresh and updated look. Choose a color that complements the style of your home and that adds visual interest. You can also add trim or accent colors to highlight architectural details and create a more custom look.

In conclusion, enhancing the curb appeal of your home is an important task that can add value and visual interest to your property. Consider the tips outlined above when wanting to enhance the curb appeal of your home.

Home Exterior Trends for 2023

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As we enter 2023, there are many exciting home exterior trends on the horizon. From bold color choices to innovative materials, homeowners have more options than ever before to make their homes stand out. In this article, we will discuss some of the top home exterior trends to watch for in 2023.

  1. Dark Colors

One of the biggest trends in home exteriors for 2023 is the use of dark colors. Black, charcoal, navy, and other dark shades are becoming increasingly popular for siding, trim, and accents. These colors can create a bold, dramatic look that adds a sense of sophistication and style to any home.

  1. Mixed Materials

Another trend that is gaining popularity is the use of mixed materials. This involves combining different materials, such as wood, stone, and metal, to create a unique and eye-catching exterior. For example, a home might feature a stone facade with wood trim and metal accents. This trend allows homeowners to create a custom look that reflects their personal style.

  1. Eco-Friendly Materials

Sustainability is a growing concern among homeowners, and this is reflected in home exterior trends for 2023. More and more homeowners are opting for eco-friendly materials, such as reclaimed wood, bamboo, and recycled metal. These materials are not only environmentally friendly, but they can also add a rustic, natural look to a home’s exterior.

  1. Modern Minimalism

Simplicity is key for homeowners who prefer a more modern look. In 2023, we can expect to see more minimalist home exteriors that feature clean lines and simple shapes. This trend is all about creating a streamlined, uncluttered look that emphasizes form over function.

  1. Bold Accents

For homeowners who want to make a statement with their home’s exterior, bold accents are the way to go. This trend involves incorporating eye-catching elements, such as brightly colored doors, oversized light fixtures, or large-scale sculptures, into the home’s design. These accents can add a pop of color and personality to an otherwise neutral exterior.

  1. Monochromatic Color Schemes

Another trend that is gaining popularity is the use of monochromatic color schemes. This involves using different shades of the same color, such as varying shades of gray, to create a cohesive and unified look. This trend is ideal for homeowners who prefer a more understated look but still want to add visual interest to their home’s exterior.

  1. Textured Finishes

In 2023, we can expect to see more homes with textured finishes. This trend involves using materials that have a rough or tactile surface, such as stucco or brick, to create a sense of depth and dimension. Textured finishes can add a sense of warmth and coziness to a home’s exterior.

  1. Large Windows

Large windows are a timeless trend that continue to be popular in 2023. Homeowners are opting for larger and more expansive windows that let in plenty of natural light and provide a clear view of the surrounding landscape. Large windows can also create a more modern and contemporary look.

  1. Outdoor Living Space

Outdoor living spaces are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners, and this trend is reflected in home exterior design. From covered porches to outdoor kitchens and dining areas, homeowners are creating outdoor spaces that are an extension of their indoor living areas. These spaces can be used for entertaining, relaxing, or just enjoying the outdoors.

In conclusion, the home exterior trends for 2023 are all about creating a customized, unique look that reflects the homeowner’s personal style. From bold colors to mixed materials, there are many options available for homeowners who want to update their home’s exterior. By incorporating one or more of these trends, homeowners can create a home that is both stylish and functional.

What is the Purpose of an Awning?

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An awning is a roof-like structure that is attached to the exterior of a building to provide shade or shelter from the sun, rain, and other elements. Awnings can be made from a variety of materials, including canvas, vinyl, metal, or fiberglass, and they come in many different styles and sizes.

There are several purposes of an awning, which we will discuss in more detail below.

  1. Sun Protection: One of the primary purposes of an awning is to provide shade and protection from the sun. Awnings can block up to 98% of harmful UV rays, which can help to prevent skin damage and sunburn. This is especially important for people who spend a lot of time outdoors, such as those who work outside or who have outdoor seating areas at their home or business.
  2. Energy Savings: Awnings can also help to reduce energy costs by providing shade and reducing the amount of sunlight that enters a building. This can help to keep the interior of a building cooler, which can reduce the need for air conditioning and lower energy bills. In fact, studies have shown that awnings can reduce cooling costs by up to 25%.
  3. Increased Curb Appeal: Awnings can also enhance the appearance of a building and add to its curb appeal. They come in a variety of styles and colors, which can complement the existing architecture and design of a building. Awnings can also be customized with graphics or logos, which can be used for branding purposes or to advertise a business.
  4. Protection from the Elements: Awnings can provide protection from rain, snow, and other elements, which can help to extend the life of outdoor furniture, equipment, and fixtures. Awnings can also help to prevent water damage to a building’s exterior and foundation by directing rainwater away from the building.
  5. Increased Outdoor Living Space: Awnings can create additional outdoor living space by providing a shaded area for seating, dining, or entertaining. This is especially useful for businesses with outdoor seating areas, such as restaurants or cafes, as it can increase their seating capacity and attract more customers.
  6. Privacy and Security: Awnings can also provide privacy and security by blocking the view of passersby and preventing people from looking into windows or doorways. This can be especially useful for businesses that want to protect their customers’ privacy, or for homeowners who want to maintain their privacy and security.

Overall, an awning can serve many purposes, from providing shade and sun protection to enhancing the appearance of a building and increasing outdoor living space. If you are considering installing an awning, it is important to choose a reputable installer and select a style and material that will meet your specific needs and preferences.

Does Your Home Need Gutters?

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Gutters are an important component of any home’s roofing system. They are designed to collect rainwater from the roof and channel it away from the foundation, which helps to prevent water damage to your home’s exterior, foundation, and landscaping.

If your home does not have gutters, it is advisable to install them. The cost of installing gutters is a small price to pay when you consider the potential damage that can result from water pooling around your home’s foundation.

The gutter installation process typically involves the following steps:

  1. Assessment: A professional gutter installer will assess your home’s roofing system and determine the best placement for gutters.
  2. Measuring and cutting: The installer will measure the length of your home’s roofline and cut the gutters to the appropriate length.
  3. Attaching hangers: The installer will attach gutter hangers to the roofline at intervals that are appropriate for the size of the gutters.
  4. Installing downspouts: The installer will cut holes in the gutters for downspouts and attach them to the gutter system.
  5. Testing: Finally, the installer will test the gutters by running water through them to ensure that they are properly installed and functioning correctly.

Overall, the installation of gutters can be a straightforward process when done by a professional, and it can help to protect your home from costly water damage.

How to Start Your Own Landscaping Business

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When you feel as though you were born with a “green thumb” you might find yourself wishing to take your love of landscaping and gardening and turn it into your very own business. Starting a landscaping business can end up being an incredibly profitable and viable endeavor when you go about things in the right manner.

As with any new business, it is important to ensure that you lay a solid foundation for your future success by taking your time with the process of getting things off the ground. Regardless of what sort of business they are, most new businesses struggle within the first year or two as things are getting going. However, by taking the right steps early on, you can give yourself the best chances of finding success down the line.

With that in mind, if you are looking to start your own landscaping business, here are a few of the things you will need to get things started off on the right foot and build a viable business that is all your own.

Acquire the Right Equipment

By nature, the job of a landscaper is one that involves the use of a variety of tools and equipment. As a new business, you are going to need to ensure that you have all the right equipment at your disposal for the right price.

This is going to be one of the aspects of starting your business that will involve the most financial investment. Gardening and landscaping equipment isn’t always cheap, and you might even find that it is best to hire certain things early on as and when you need them and then make more purchases as your business becomes more profitable.

Take the time to create a realistic budget for the equipment that you will need to get going and compare prices from multiple retailers. You can start building your list of the tools and equipment that you will require by checking out the items for sale at arbourlandscapesolutions.co.uk.

Familiarize Yourself With the Seasons

By nature, the job of a landscaper is one that is going to be dependent on the seasons. Your work will inevitably change as and when the seasons transition from one to the other. You will need to study up and familiarize yourself with the sort of changes to your work that are going to come about as a result of the changing seasons.

This is also a good time to project those times of the year when you will see a lull in business. Planning ahead for such times is key if you hope to stay afloat all year long.

See to Legal Matters

As with any other new business, you will need to see to certain legal matters in order to properly get your landscaping company up and running. You might consider working with a solicitor who has experience with such new businesses so that you can get these matters sorted quickly and efficiently so that you can get to work building your new landscaping business.

Should I Choose a Home Equity Loan or Home Equity Line of Credit Near Me

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If you’re a homeowner who wants to borrow against the equity in your house, there are two main ways you can do this: a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit. There are many reasons you might want to borrow that money, such as if you have plans to repair, renovate, or add on to your home. Maybe you have a big expense coming up (such as someone in your household attending a college or other school) or you want to consolidate several high credit card balances.

But what is the best way to handle this situation? “Should I choose a home equity loan or home equity line of credit near me?” The good news is that if you’re considering this question, we can help. Central Willamette Credit Union is your neighbor with the know-how about what option best fits you. We hope to be a local resource so you can feel confident in your decision, whether you choose a home equity line of credit or a home equity loan.

Some things to consider before you move forward with either option: an advantage is that since your home is the collateral, it’s considered less of a risk to your lender, and therefore the interest rates tend to be very low.

However, the disadvantage of taking out a second mortgage or using a HELOC is that if you’re unable to pay back the balance, the bank can take your house. Be sure that these extra payments are within your budget.

Let’s look at the differences between a home equity line of credit and a home equity loan.

Home Equity Line of Credit

A home equity line of credit (HELOC) taps into the equity in your house. Once you’ve bought your house, you can use the equity you’ve built up in it to access cash for these large expenses. Equity is the difference between your home’s value and your mortgage balance: essentially what you’ve paid is still considered your money, even if the bank or another financial institution is holding on to it.

How a HELOC Works

A HELOC is used sort of like a credit card. When you use a HELOC, you’re drawing that money from your equity with the understanding that you’re going to pay it back. You don’t have to take it out in a lump sum. Rather, the money is available for a set amount of time, and you can take from it when you need it. The draw period can vary but is often around 10 years, during which you can draw on that money as often as you like. After that period, you can apply for an extension, or if you’ve used the money the way you wanted, you can start making payments on the principal and interest until the balance disappears.

The money can be accessed in several ways—you can write checks, use an online transfer, or use a credit card attached to your account. Interest rates can be variable, though there are some lenders who fix their rates for a certain amount of time when you first start using the line of credit.

If you decide to go this route, make sure to ask your bank or credit union whether there’s a minimum withdrawal. For instance, if you decide you need to take out $750 but the minimum withdrawal is $1,000, you need to be prepared for that extra $250 and factor it into your vision.

A home equity line of credit is an excellent source for emergency funds since it’s more flexible than a home equity loan. Also, if you don’t use all the funds in the line of credit, you aren’t charged interest on the funds you don’t use. Therefore, if you have equity in your home and you need cash, this could be a good option for you.

Make Sure Your Financial Institution Offers HELOCs

Some large banks (starting with Wells Fargo and JPMorgan Chase) have announced application freezes on new HELOCs this year. Customers who already have them are not affected by this, but if you’re considering looking into this option, the first question you should ask is whether your financial institution is accepting these applications. And it’s another reason to consider your local credit union.

Home Equity Loan

A home equity loan (sometimes called a home equity installment loan, or a second mortgage) is less drawn-out. You’ll receive the loan in a lump sum, with a fixed interest rate for the full length of the loan term. A great advantage of a home equity loan is that the interest you pay on the loan is tax-deductible. There are the same expenses here as when you first applied for your mortgage: there will be an appraisal, an application fee, attorney’s fees, and a title search.

Once you have calculated the equity in your home, you’ll be able to borrow back on a combined loan-to-value ratio of your home’s appraised value. That means you’ll usually be able to borrow 80 to 90 percent of your home’s value. However, your lender might offer a higher interest rate if your credit score and payment history have some hits against them.

Just like your initial mortgage on your house, once you have a home equity loan, you pay a set amount every month for the duration of the loan term. The best reason to take out a second mortgage is if you’re completing renovations that will increase the value of your home.

Another reason people take out second mortgages is so they can consolidate high credit card debt. It can help decrease your interest rates, but once you fold that credit card debt in, you must be sure you don’t run it up again.

Be Aware of the Risks

The risk here is simply that if your real estate values crash, you could end up owing more than your home is worth, what is often called being “underwater” on your home. And if you can’t pay back the money you owe on your home, the bank is within its rights to take your home back and sell it to settle the debt on it.

Of course, if you’re looking for resources on either one of these loans near you, look no further than Central Willamette Credit Union. We’re local and we know what the housing market and interest rates are like in our community. Contact us today and we can answer your questions.

5 Benefits of Utilizing Organic Furniture in Your Home

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Home is considered a safe place for most people, as they spend the majority of their time there. As a safe place, your home and the things in it should contribute to your health and happiness. But depending on the type of furniture you own, it could be doing the opposite.

More and more people are buying organic furniture to avoid the negative effects that come with traditional furniture. Some stores, such as Plank and Coil, are created with the sole intent of providing the public with access to organic and sustainable furniture options. With organic furniture, you don’t have to worry about harmful chemicals being released into the air while you’re sleeping or that your purchase is contributing to deforestation. You can sleep well in knowing your furniture is a positive and health-conscious addition to the place you call home.

Here are five other ways that utilizing organic furniture in your home can benefit you.

1. Improved Air Quality

Indoor air pollution is becoming a more popular topic as of late. With wildfires happening across the country and smoke finding its way indoors, people are paying more attention to the fact that what you breathe in every day can have a significant effect on your overall health. Just like the air outdoors can become polluted, so can the air in your home. But I bet you didn’t know that this contamination could be coming from your furniture. It’s up to you whether your furniture improves or worsens overall air quality.

One of the benefits of having organic furniture in your home is that your furniture won’t be contributing to bad air quality. Non-organic furniture is often built with materials that contain toxic chemicals. Though these chemicals start out in your furniture, over time, they can off-gas some of that material into the atmosphere.

According to the Washington Post, 4of the top 10 chemicals commonly emitted from furnishings are considered “acute” hazards, or irritants. This occurs naturally, and it can lead you to breathe in chemicals unknowingly. With organic furniture, you won’t have to worry about that happening, as the materials they’re made from contain no harmful chemicals to begin with.

2. Environmentally Friendly

Protecting our planet has never been more important, and there are more ways to contribute to that cause than you might think. One of those ways is by being more mindful of the furniture you buy. When you utilize organic furniture in your home, you also help your environment to thrive. Organic furniture is environmentally friendly in a variety of ways that can help both your home and the global environment.

When you purchase organic furniture, you’re contributing to manufacturing methods that don’t use harsh chemicals. Many of the chemicals in traditional furniture are not only hazardous to our health but hazardous to nature and animals as well.

For example, when non-organic furniture is disposed of, the chemicals in that furniture are likely to seep into the ground and enter water systems. This also happens when the material is being created. Waste from those materials can enter landfills, affect water systems, and show up in the soil and habitats of local wildlife. These are all facts to consider when buying furniture.

3. Better for Your Skin

Some things in your home touch your skin more often than others. Items like your couch, mattress, pillows, and chairs are just a few of the things that can come into contact with your skin multiple times a day. No one would intentionally put chemicals on their skin, but depending on the furniture you have, you could be doing just that. Because our skin is our largest organ, what comes in contact with it matters, as our skin can easily absorb what it touches, such as chemicals found on certain materials.

Many people don’t put together that some bad skin reactions may be caused by the furniture in their home. When you use organic furniture, however, you likely don’t have to worry about your skin reacting negatively to it, as most organic furniture is hypoallergenic. Items like organic cotton sheets or organic couch cushions can provide you with a chemical-free covering for the places you use the most in your home. When you switch these items out, you create fewer opportunities for your skin to experience sensitivities.

4. Better Sleep

A good night’s sleep can help you lead a healthier and happier life, but not all furniture is created to help you attain that kind of rest. While organic furniture isn’t filled with harsh chemicals, non-organic furniture often is, and it can prevent you from sleeping well.

Whether it’s from irritating your skin, reducing your healthy air quality, or adding to uncomfortable temperatures, traditional furniture can significantly interfere with your sleep, whereas organic furniture can often improve your sleep. An organic mattress, sheets, pillows, and pillowcases can create a temperature-controlled environment that pulls sweat away from your body and allows for air circulation in your sleeping environment. The ability to absorb excess moisture and then release it back into the air can help you to sleep longer and better each night. And who doesn’t want that?

5. Sustainability

The materials used in organic furniture are often natural items, such as organic cotton, bamboo, and wood. These natural materials bring a wonderful aesthetic to your home, and they can last for a long time.

The longer a piece of furniture lasts, the less need there is to create or purchase more items of furniture in the future. This creates less overall waste and less of an opportunity to contaminate the environment.

People often consider organic furniture an expensive purchase, but when you consider its sustainability and ability to last longer, it’s actually a more cost-effective option than most furniture. When you’re looking for new furniture, try shopping at stores like Plank and Coil in Portland. We have eco-friendly, organic, and sustainable furniture options for every room in your home.

What Are the Benefits of and How To Use a Smart Thermostat?

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If you have kept up with any of the latest trends in modern technology, you may have heard of “smart” thermostats. Of course, the name alone doesn’t tell you much. It seems like there’s a “smart” version of everything these days. Smartphones, smart refrigerators, smart cars, and so many others. But is it really worth it to spend the extra money on some technological bells and whistles? In the case of smart thermostats, we think it is. However, you need to take the time to understand how to use them correctly.

What Is a Smart Thermostat?

Thermostats have been a fixture in modern homes for decades now, and their primary purpose hasn’t changed much: they tell you what the temperature is. By doing this, they allow you to adjust your heater or air conditioner to the ideal level. Traditional thermometers are very simple: they utilize mercury to inform you of the current temperature inside the home. This was an amazing piece of technology when it was first introduced, but today, it’s considered to be somewhat inaccurate.

A more modern—if still outdated—type of thermometer is the digital one. They give you a more accurate reading of the ambient temperature, and they have certainly been popular for many years now. However, they can’t do much more than give you an idea of how hot or how cold it is. More recently, programmable thermostats have come into vogue: these allow you to set the temperature to what you want and to adjust it as you see fit.

Smart thermostats are the next step up from all of these older, outdated versions of this technology. They do a lot more than just read the temperature in the room. They can also read other details, such as the ambient humidity. Once you’ve set the temperature to what you prefer a few times, they can “learn” your preferences and continuously keep your home comfortable, without you having to do much beyond the initial setup.

Smart thermostats also connect to Wi-Fi so that you can control them remotely. You’ll be able to adjust your home’s climate using only your tablet, smartphone, or laptop. You can also get detailed information about your home’s energy usage sent to your phone in real-time.

What Are the Benefits?

There are many benefits that smart thermostats offer over their less-advanced cousins. The added convenience is worth the price tag alone. The fact that you can remotely adjust your home’s climate means that you’ll save time, which you can then devote to other things. It also means you can turn on the heater or air conditioner while you’re on your way home so that it’s at your desired temperature by the time you arrive.

More advanced versions of the smart thermostat can even sense and adjust the temperature in individual rooms. Many homes have rooms that are regularly hotter or colder than other parts of the house, so this ability in your thermostat can be a real godsend.

Some smart thermostats even have Alexa or other smart speaker systems built-in, so you can give them voice commands. Simply tell your thermostat to turn the AC when you’re feeling hot; if it’s too cold, tell it to adjust the temperature by a few degrees.

The fact that smart thermostats can provide you with regular digital readouts of your home’s energy usage will help you save a lot of money in the long run. You can always adjust your thermostat for maximum efficiency. The government’s ENERGY STAR® website explains how this type of technology will save you money. It can make adjustments to your home’s temperature levels when you’re asleep and when you’re not home in order to use less energy, which will translate into cost savings for you.

Smart thermostats can also provide you with diagnostic readouts of your entire HVAC system. That way, if anything breaks down or otherwise stops working, you can get it fixed by a professional from Watts Heating & Cooling immediately.

How To Use a Smart Thermostat

With all of these benefits, you may be imagining that a smart thermostat is dazzlingly complex and comes with a steep learning curve for its use. This isn’t the case; however, getting the maximum benefits out of your thermostat does require a certain level of understanding of the technology.

First, and most importantly, you need to make sure that whichever thermostat you purchase will actually work with the HVAC system you have in place. This isn’t a given because not all systems are compatible. Talk to your heating and cooling professional if you’re unsure about this.

You’ll have to choose a spot on a wall to install your thermostat. Needless to say, this should be somewhere that’s easily accessible so you can make adjustments as necessary. After it’s installed, you’ll then have to spend some time setting up your smart thermostat.

Understanding how to use a smart thermostat means understanding the limits of what the technology is capable of: while these thermostats can “learn” your preferences and habits, they tend to do better if you give them as much information as possible when you start. Enter your schedule, as far as you know it, your temperature preferences, and any vacations you may have planned. Over time, the thermostat will utilize this information to hone its ability to keep your home at a temperature you are happy with.

Finally, get in the habit of regularly checking the reports from your thermostat. Learn to find out if your HVAC system is becoming less efficient. In this way, you’ll be able to tackle problems as they occur and contact your HVAC professional if any repairs are required. Over time, this diligence will help save you a great deal of money on your energy bill.

4 Features That Will Enhance Your Home

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No matter how fancy or complete you believe your home to be, every dwelling can be improved in some way or another. From small changes such as a new lick of paint to more robust alternations like adding in an extension such as a conservatory, there are multiple ways in which you can enhance your home and boost it’s market value; here are just a select few.

Add More Storage

No one wants a cluttered home filled to the brim with junk and trinkets, and that’s why adding more storage options can be a great way to keep your home looking clean and modern. There are so many neat little ways you can increase your storage capabilities at home, such as by adding simple open shelves to increase utility space, and even installing hooks on the back of doors to give you options to hang jackets, coats, and umbrellas.

The smarter the storage the better, as interesting and unique storage solutions can drastically increase the appeal and value of your house. For example, understairs storage that uses each step as a secret drawer; and shelves that use all possible wall space are just a few clever storage ideas.

Install Gas Heating and Appliances

Using gas over other types of energy is the most favorable option for any home for a couple of reasons. The first is that gas is far better for the environment than wood heaters, due to its efficiency as it can heat up appliances almost instantly. It’s also better than electric appliances as it produces fewer greenhouses gases, therefore making it much better for the environment. Adding gas worktops and ovens can both significantly increase the value of a kitchen and make it more desirable.

Give Your Garden Some TLC

More often than not, the most neglected part of a home is the garden, however, this is an area that can turn your home into a magical place to live if given the right attention. First, make sure to take care of the basics, such as mowing the grass and weeding any overgrowth, as this gives you the opportunity to do some landscaping.

You can also add in some desirable features that can turn your garden into a hub of relaxation and activity. You could build your own firepit, giving you a nice place to enjoy the outdoors, roast some marshmallows, and warm up during the night. You could also add a beautiful water feature from Water-garden.co.uk to create some tranquillity and beauty in your garden.

Think About the Exterior

How your home looks from the outside can influence its desirability, especially if you’re trying to sell your house. There are various ways in which you can boost the value and appeal of your home, with many of the changes not being too expensive.

Think about fixing and repainting any fences you have surrounding the property, as that can instantly make the place look more upmarket. Another simple change also includes either repainting or replacing your front door, as this can drastically improve the appearance of the house.