After a new paint job, a power wash, plants, new house numbers and some furnishings, this house feels like it finally got the attention it truly deserved! – Photo Courtesy: Tami Hills
As summer approaches, and the holidays/vacations set in, you want to make your home easy to live in, as much as possible. Many people do not pick this as the ultimate time to pick up a tool box but perhaps it actually is the best time to do so. With the right adjustments to your home, you can make it the only place you want to be this summer and reduce your utility bills while you are at it. There are many things you can do to your home during the summer but these are the top five on my list – these make me yearn for yet another sunny season!
1. A family paint job
Painting probably seems overrated as a wonderful home improvement project. It, however, never misses to find its way in any list because of the obvious advantages. Nothing makes your home brighter and lovely than a fresh coat of paint and for a DIY lover, like myself, there is nothing easier to do.
The best thing about painting is that I get the perfect family time. Many pictures in the family album show a group of youngsters and relatives holding paintbrushes in shorts and paint all over. Needless to say, it gives one the perfect opportunity to dress in light shorts and tops, feel the warmth of the sun and have carefree moments with family.
Painting is one of the activities your children can do and involving them in activities makes them feel involved in your life. Many arguments are readily resolved over a good painting moment. The new bright summer colors and beautiful house are just the icing on the cake.
2. Reducing your utility bill
Summer is one of the seasons that your utility bill rockets to the roof. The major culprit is the air conditioner and the shower. Reduce these bills by making your home energy efficient. Some of the prime ways to do so that you can perform yourself include installing a solar system, changing your windows and your flooring.
A home with Solar Installations in Germany – Photo Courtesy: Tim Fuller
Having a solar system gives you an alternative source of energy drastically reducing the amount of money you pay in your electricity bill. Changing your windows to double-glazed or simply fixing them makes them more efficient keeping the hot summer air out of your home. Ensure your windows open and close well making them a natural air conditioner.
If you can, change your floors to cement flooring which remains cool during the hot season and keeps warmth during cold seasons, making your home conducive all year round.
3. Making your bathroom ‘healthy’
Most of the time during summer is spent outdoors or in your bathroom. The humidity of the season and the constant showers make your bathroom the best place for mold to thrive. Reduce or completely eliminate the chances of getting mold and mildew in your shower units by replacing the shower curtain with doors and opting for wet wall paneling instead of tiles. Doors increase the visual space and appeal of your bathroom whereas wet walls reduce mold spots. The best part about the panels is that you can install them on top of the existing tiling.
4. Getting a green thumb
When the sun is out and the rain is falling, it is the perfect time for you to work on your garden. The flowers are in bright bloom, so get down to some landscaping. You can decide to have a garden or a vegetable garden and get your nutritional needs catered to as well.
Making your environment look trim and beautiful suits the season as you will want to spend your time in the breeze. Add a few trees to provide shade for the years to come. Get wicker chairs, a little portable pool for the children and other elements that will make your summer worthwhile and your home beautiful.
5. Check the gutters
The rains (think about summer and especially during autumn which is following) will come pouring down depending on what part of the state you live in, so you want to make sure your gutters are in the best of conditions to handle the weather. Poor gutters will spoil your roof and, in the worst case, can cause widespread water damage to your home. Ensure they are in the correct angle, have no leaking spots and have no clutter in them.
Grace Millhouse specializes in home improvement and interior decoration. She works with a polished concrete company in Melbourne and believes that these floors make a really good floor choice.
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