You’ve moved into your new home, and then you take a look around.

The older furnishings aren’t suiting the new room sizes and existing décor. They either don’t fill the space well, there’s too little of them (and replacements won’t match the existing pieces), or it’s just time to be out with the old and in with the new. 

To help you along, here are 5 things that you’ll want to get for your new home. 

A New Bed

If you’ve been dissatisfied with your existing mattress, then it might be time for a new one. 

The signs that you need a replacement include when it’s sagging in the middle, one side is lower, or it just doesn’t provide the level of support necessary for you. 

Also, if you’ve changed your sleeping posture previously – e.g. from a back sleeper to a side sleeper – then the current mattress might now be uncomfortable. 

In either case, getting a new mattress will do wonders for your sleep pattern. Be sure to search for the best online mattresses for your style of sleeping to be satisfied with the purchase. 

Desk Lamps and Standing Lamps

You may have decided to keep the existing lighting arrangements as they are. Perhaps they’re a little on the old side, but changing the lighting is not in the budget for now; other priorities are more important. In which case, what can you do to brighten up the darker rooms?

Changing to brighter bulbs is one option, but the bulb sockets will only accept up to a certain wattage. So, even with LEDs, there’s a limit to what you can do here. 

Another option is to furnish the darker rooms with standing lamps with an upplight design that projects light to the ceiling where it can spread across the ceiling. Desk lamps are also useful to illuminate common seating areas and other places where people like to relax. 

Bookcases

Add a bookcase to store your books and other items in an organized manner. 

If you’re moved into a larger home, perhaps these were previously put into storage or situated in the garage because the room sizes were restrictive. That’s no longer the case if the rooms are larger or there’s more of them. So, take advantage of the extra space to make your favorite books more accessible. 

Drawings or Paintings

If you dislike bare painted walls, then you’ll need some artistic drawings, paintings, or photography that’s framed to add some much-needed color and/or creativity to living spaces. If paintings are beyond your budget, then look at framed photographs – you can use some of your own – which is an inexpensive way to personalize. 

It stands to reason that before you do this, you might also wish to change the color scheme in the home first to avoid trying to cover up an ugly color with the artwork. 

Floor Rugs

If the new home has more hardwood flooring than you’re used to, then you may be facing cold floors in the morning in your bare feet. That will get old fast!

While going back to carpeting is probably not what you’re looking for, a solution must be found.

We’d suggest looking into getting a few carefully chosen floor rugs for a certain room. Make sure these aren’t areas where people will be rushing around unless you plan to stick the rugs to the floor to prevent them from slipping around. 

When you’re furnishing your home, be sure not to do too much. Overstuffing each room will make them feel smaller than they are, and that’s not your intended goal. 

It might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you’re thinking of ways to protect your home and family, but your garage truly is the first line of defense against home invaders.

What’s more, many new homeowners tend to forget that the garage can be quite a dangerous place if you have small children who don’t understand the hazards of rummaging around the garage when you’re not looking. For these and many other reasons, improving the safety and security of your garage should be one of your top priorities.

By opting for some budget-friendly upgrades and improvements in your garage (and the rest of the house), you can easily make your entire property more secure, while elevating the aesthetic appeal of the garage in the process. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the best garage safety tips that will safeguard your home, family, and possessions.

Install interior and exterior lighting

First things first, understand that a poorly-lit property is a home invader’s primary target, simply because it’s easy to approach without being seen, and because it gives out the impression that nobody is home. More often than not, homeowners will invest in interior lighting for the rest of the house, leaving the stock lightbulbs for the garage while the exterior is often left in the dark. This will often invite unwanted visitors to enter a home through the garage. 

So, your first order of business should be to illuminate the perimeter around the garage with motion-sensor lighting, which will make it easier for you to navigate the property while deterring any intruders. You also have to make sure that the interior of the garage is well-lit as well to improve safety and minimize hazards for yourself and your kids if they’re playing in the garage. 

Pay special attention to the doors and windows

Of course, the primary way home invaders enter a property is either through the door or an unlatched window, especially the garage window that homeowners tend to leave cracked open to air out the garage. It should go without saying that you need to improve the security of your doors and windows, which is also one of the best home improvement ideas, to prevent any unlawful entry, and of course, to prevent your kids and other family members from getting injured.

Start with the main garage door, and opt for a reliable model like galvanized steel – one that can be remotely operated but has manual control features as well. Don’t forget about the service door, and opt for a deadbolt lock. You can keep the windows open, but be sure to put up bars to prevent anyone from venturing inside. That said, it’s always better to keep the windows locked as well.

Don’t skimp on the insurance

While it is imperative that you secure the perimeter and the interior of the garage, it’s also important to note that there is always a possibility that someone will manage to break inside and steal the most valuable possession in it – your car. This is why having comprehensive insurance of your vehicle is so important nowadays, because, as a homeowner, you need to have the right insurance policy at your side to protect you from every eventuality.

After all, just because you parked your car in your garage doesn’t mean that someone won’t try to claim it for themselves.

Keep the garage clean and organized

When you’re working in your garage, perhaps sprucing up your car or doing some DIY work, or when your kids are exploring and playing, you want to make sure that all hazards are brought down to a minimum.

This means that you need to keep the space tidy and organized, and that you should keep all dangerous tools under lock and key. Cleaning the place regularly is a great way to maintain hygiene and the aesthetic appeal of the garage, and it will help you keep the interior as safe to dwell in as possible. 

Invest in an alarm system 

Choosing a home security system can be a complex and cumbersome task, however, it is necessary if you want to keep your property safe at all times. Of course, you can call in a professional to install a garage security system, or you can do it yourself by installing the aforementioned motion-sensor lighting, mounting motion-sensor cameras, and connecting the alarm system to your smartphone so that you can phone the authorities on a moment’s notice should the need arise.

Wrapping up

The garage is a common target for home invaders and thieves nowadays, simply because homeowners tend to prioritize other parts of their home when it comes to safety and security. With these tips in mind, though, you will have no problem keeping your garage safe and your home secure on all fronts.

How many times have you visited friends and family members only to look around their house in envy and wish you had that same decorating flair? How many times have you also found yourself flipping through home design and décor magazines wishing that you could transform your own space into something more luxurious and stylish? 

If the budget and your lack of DIY experience have been holding you back from making these upgrades in your home, it’s time to think again. In reality, there are a number of easy and cost-effective upgrades you can make that will provide some really incredible results.

Paint Always Gives the Most Bang for Your Buck

When it comes to the ultimate simple and budget-friendly way to upgrade your home, fresh paint will always give you the most bang for your buck. By changing the colors on your walls, the entire house will take on a new feel and look. If you’re on a tight budget, just stick to the common rooms – the ones that get used the most. This could include the kitchen, family room, dining room, and living room.

Change Up Your Décor and Decorative Items

If you’re not willing to put the time and money into a full renovation project, then you can get some pretty impactful results with some simple changes. Why not switch out all those old décor pieces that have been hanging around way past their best before style date?

Things such as throw pillows, vases, decorative bowls, and even old photo frames can be taken away and replaced with new fresh pieces. What’s great about changing the décor is that you can change the atmosphere, look, and feel of the room in a very simple way.

Slipcovers Inject New Life and Style into Pieces

Part of what can make a home feel tired and less than modern is furniture that has dated fabric coverings. It doesn’t even have to be dated; it may just be worn down so it no longer looks its best. There is a very simple and budget-friendly way to get that couch, loveseat, and armchair back to “like new” condition; slipcovers. 

Slipcovers are meant to fit right over the existing cushions and give a whole new look to the furniture. You can instantly change up the style, fabric, color, texture, and print by using slipcovers. And what’s handy about these is that you can keep them clean by throwing them in the washing machine, or sending them off to the cleaners. Just be sure to read the label on the washing instructions.

Invest in a New Mattress

When you think of “upgrading” your home, your mattress may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but in reality, this can change your entire sleep experience. There is no work, DIY, or construction involved in this project, making it extremely simple. All it takes is some research on your part to figure out what would be the best mattress for your sleep style, budget, and bedframe. For example, if you sleep on your side, you want to use a good mattress for side sleepers that offers the perfect amount of support, alignment, and firmness.

You can take this upgrade one step further and also invest in some brand new high-quality sheets that are soft to the touch, lightweight, and are breathable. These will be the most comfortable option all year-round. 

Time to Start Your Upgrades

This is just a small look at the many upgrades you can make in your home regardless of a tight budget and very little home décor and DIY experience.

Your home may need to be remodeled, but maybe you are holding off. The high cost of contractors, because of these major trends in the industry, can make a lot of people put off remodeling their homes. However, remodeling raises the resale value of your home and makes it more comfortable for you to live in. It is fair to say that remodeling is an important part of homeownership. 

Don’t let the high cost of contractors deter you. In this article, we provide the top remodeling tips that contractors don’t want you to know. If you want a beautifully renovated home that still fits into your budget, read on. 

Hire Your Own Sub Contractors

Before we jump into the tips below let’s talk about one of the biggest ways to save a bundle. Mike Epson at the TheSmartConsumer.com says that “it’s easier than you think to be your own contractor. All you need is general knowledge of how something needs to be done.

You don’t even need to know how to do it.” Many contractors do not do hands-on work, many of them just take on the planning, inspection, and organizing of subcontractors. For taking on all the hassles their fees can increase a project anywhere from 10%-30%.

Remodeling tips

There are many ways that you can cut down on the costs of home remodeling. Below we’ve included the top four tips. Some are tips about DIY work you can perform, and some are ways to cut down on extra contractor costs. Each will save you money and make your remodeling plan much easier. 

Exterior painting is easy

Painting the exterior of your home is very easy. You don’t have to be a handyman to do it well. According to rl-remodeling “as long as you prepare the outside of your home to paint properly, the actual painting process is quite easy, it’s all in the prep work.” Most importantly, you will need to wash, seal cracks, and patch your home’s exterior. It takes time to tape and cover all the surfaces you don’t want the paint to get on. Preparation is often the most time-consuming step, but the effort will be worthwhile when you actually begin painting.  

While you can choose to use a paintbrush to paint the entire exterior of your home, that can get very time-consuming. I have actually seen people do this.

Instead, consider renting a paint sprayer. Anyone can use to learn these machines in about ten minutes. Plus, they are easy to rent at any equipment rental place, which saves you the cost of purchasing your own. 

If you use a sprayer to paint your home’s exterior, make sure it gets back rolled. Someone will also need to check for drips. You don’t want to have to deal with paint drips all over your lawn and patio. If you are not experienced in or intimidated by spray guns, you can also choose to rent a powered roller. These work off of a spray pump and will likely be easier for the beginner to control. 

Tiling Backsplashes and Countertops

Just as painting the exterior of your home is quite easy, so is tiling backsplashes and countertops. Many manufacturers now make a special glue that makes putting the tile in place much easier. You just glue the tile directly to drywall or the counter. It removes the need for extra backer board. This saves you time, effort, and money.

Just like painting, all of the expensive tools that are needed to install tile can be rented. You do not need to spend a lot of money purchasing them. Plus, now you can find pre-made tile backsplashes and countertops that are even easier to install. Just glue them where they need to go and you are done. There isn’t even any need for grout with some of the products out there. Tiling yourself does not cost much and will cut down on a lot of contractor costs. 

If your laying backer board on a wood subfloor one trick that the experts use is to use a roofing nailer to place short nails with big heads in place of some of the tile screws. Some installers will only use roofing nails. It definitely speeds things up, but I would recommend still using some screws with this method, probably somewhere in the 50% range, just because screws hold better and get the board tighter to the subfloor.

Even novices can do plumbing and electrical

Plumbing and electrical work can seem a little bit more intimidating than painting or tiling. And, you definitely want to do your research and make sure you are confident before you attempt any major repairs. However, there are now products, especially plumbing products, that make these tasks much easier for the novice. Let me be clear on this, do not do electrical work if you have no idea what you are doing.

Pex pipe can make any novice a plumbing expert in no time. Additionally, shark bite fittings are just pushed onto the pipe, which means you don’t need dedicated tools. Finally, as long as you have a PVC cutter and push-on fittings, you can perform almost any plumbing refit without expert-level knowledge. Plumbers literally hate that any average Joe can now attach pipes together without the use of a torch.

Just because you can easily do large plumbing and electrical remodels doesn’t mean you have to. If you choose to use a contractor, there are a few ways to cut down on costs. The biggest way to save on costs for both electrical and plumbing jobs is to do the trim work yourself. These are small jobs that plumbers and electricians can use to jack up their prices, but that you can easily learn to do on your own. 

DIY Examples of Outsourced Tasks

Plumbing trim includes

• Connecting faucets 
• Setting toilets 
• Attaching shower heads

Faucets are a simple task anyone should be able to install

Electrical trim includes

• Installing outlets and their covers 
• Installing switches 
• Installing indoor and outdoor lights 
• Connecting a water heater

Electrical Covers are another simple DIY task

Remodels of HVAC systems are some of the most popular out of necessity and the most expensive. Although it is not recommended that novices install HVAC systems themselves, there are some cost-saving options. 

Ideally, you would buy the HVAC system online. This could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars. As long as you still find a licensed contractor to install it for you, your warranty would remain valid. Legally, you might not have to use an installer. Instead, you would just have to meet your city code. 

Wrapping It Up

Clearly, there are many ways to remodel your home. The ones you choose will depend on your own experience level and the type of remodel job. You can even choose to work with a contractor to make your home improvements, you just need to approach the relationship in the correct way. If you just need it done and don’t want the here a good place to start, remodeling contractors. 

As an end to this article, here are two ways to lower the cost of working with a contractor. 

Supply your own materials 

Contractors mark up the materials they use when remodeling your home. Often, contractors will claim that they can purchase the materials at a wholesale price, which theoretically would save you money. However, if they pocket the difference, then you haven’t really saved anything at all. It may be a better idea to purchase the materials yourself and provide them for your contractor. Do the math on both options before choosing the best route.  

Create a bidding war

Contractors need work. They want your business. So, if you get a few estimates, you can use the lowest to bring down the price of the contractor you really prefer. Creating a bidding war may take a little skill, but it can save you lots of money in the long run. 

The next time you remodel your home, use the tips and tricks discussed in this article. They will save you money. All that’s left will be for you to enjoy your updated home. 

Our homes are our places of rest and happiness, and they deserve to be properly maintained. This means they need to be protected from leaks, pests, structural damage, natural disasters and a lot more. There are many things homeowners need to do to keep their properties whole, but are they affordable and can we DIY all of them during remodeling? 

Being a homeowner is not an easy task, you have to take care of the overall condition of the property, and there are tons of tasks associated with that. Doing repairs and home improvements is not a favorite task, but it’s necessary if you want to keep the quality of your investment. If you’re determined to participate in these projects actively, here are some tips to keep in mind during renovations. They will help you create a modern, safe home for your family.

THE SURPRISING WAYS YOUR HOUSE COSTS YOU MONEY (READ HERE)

Plan Carefully

Regardless if it is a bunch of small touch-ups or a major spring/summer renovation, you should start with a plan. 

The first thing you need to take into account is that the best and most affordable contractors will be booked first and probably won’t have a suitable slot for a home visit for months ahead. 

In this case, planning ahead and looking for the best price and most reliable handyman specialist seems more than relevant, advised Australian Fantastic Handyman Company. Start by making a list of all the closest contractors, then start checking them one by one and writing down their price estimates. This will help you compare the competition and make an informed decision. 

Invest In Energy-Saving

To save more energy, you need to think and live green. There are lots of ways to upgrade your household appliances, if you haven’t done it until now, that is. 

Buying a new fridge, air conditioning or other household devices with a class A+ or A++ will significantly decrease your energy bills. 

Home insulation and noise-cancelling materials are other property enhancements you could take advantage of and stop the large percentage of heat loss during the colder months. Consider this a reasonable investment that will define your future expenses on energy. 

When insulating your property, however, don’t forget the parts attached to the property like the garage, basement, or conservatory. If you don’t cold-proof them, your place will lose more heat than the air conditioning generates, and this will result in huge energy bills and great heat loss. Setting up your insulation is not a simple task, as there is a lot of things to take into account. That’s why it’s very important to find top-quality metal building insulation that will bring you the best energy-saving results.

What you should also consider is that energy upgrades cost less during the home renovation than when adding them post-refurbishment.

Consider Alternative Energy Sources

If you’ve already upgraded your household appliances but would like to cut the costs, even more, adding a few renewable energy sources to your home is the next step to take. 

Solar panels are a classic eco-friendly home enhancement. So, let’s talk about the different spots you can place the photovoltaic energy sources for your home: 

• Solar Awnings. This is a very practical combination, preventing heat from squeezing in your home. They keep different percentages of solar heat off your property’s interior- 77 % for windows situated on the west side of your home and 65% from windows facing south.
• Interior Blinds. These, especially the slat-consistent shades, offer very good protection for your place. The slat type of blinds doesn’t look very dependable, but their flat slats offer flexibility. As opposed to ordinary shades, these can be adjusted in order to let a little natural light in without letting the devastating summer heat in the premises.
• Exterior Blinds. These are generally made of wood, aluminum or vinyl and are, respectively, more resistant to the changing weather conditions outside. When rolled down their slats meet edge by edge and provide a thick shade. If you wish to let a little bit of sunlight in, you can raise them partially. This will leave a slight distance between the slats creating a dappled shade pattern.
• Solar Power. Also, don’t forget about your backyard and patio. You can install solar panels on the ground of any home to run electric lawnmower and other tools. Solar power could also be used to water and light your garden. For a comprehensive view read the full post about solar lights and garden wind spinners.

Easily Avoid Common Mistakes

When you plan small repairs or bigger refurbishments, you should hire a professional, especially if you don’t have the experience and equipment to cope with the task. If not, then afterward you’ll most probably not like the outcome or worse – injure yourself and damage your property. This will automatically increase the budget planned for your home improvements and decrease its market value. 

In case you’re hesitant, many handyman service providers will advise you what materials to buy.. What is more, many of these companies offer reasonable prices and a considerable decrease in final payment, if you book more than one service for a visit.

Tackle Small Doable Projects

There are small improvements you could do yourself if you’re more experienced in DIY. And this is, undoubtedly, the best way to save money for other expenses. If you have no idea how to install your new shelves, tiles or how to repaint the walls at home, you can shop for materials.

Whatever you decide, it would be better to talk to the contractors first and schedule the tasks accordingly. This way the home repair, maintenance, or renovation projects happen faster.

Buy Materials Personally

There are thousands of websites for supplies and materials for practically every type of home improvement. 

But when you order them over the Internet, there are at least two problems that will definitely occur at some point. 

1. First, you won’t have the chance to personally check any of the products you’re buying for defects. If you wish to buy furniture or anything of the sort, it would be better to go to the store yourself and take a look at it. This way you’ll be able to see the item and make a reasonable decision on whether it will be suitable for your home. 
2. Second, ordering household items or maintenance and renovation supplies via website services, often carries the risk you won’t get the right color, size or type of the supplies you ordered. In this case, returning the order seems the only reasonable thing to do. 

However, there will definitely be a delay with your home improvement project.

Major Home Improvements

There are a few types of home repair and maintenance tasks you should not even think of tackling, and namely – structural, plumbing, and electrical. 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A HOUSE (READ HERE)

Don’t take this the wrong way- you should have these features of the household regularly inspected in order to prevent major household disasters like a burst pipe. Unless you have the experience and equipment of a dependable trade, you shouldn’t even think of this. 

Changing the pipes or an electric circuit often requires more than cutting here and there and fixing this and that. Major plumbing projects include breaking into walls and can cost you thousands when done wrong. Imagine what a tiny mistake might lead to. Moreover, in many countries, there are certain certificates which are required in order for you to cope with this time and effort consuming tasks.