20 Ways to Upgrade Your Home
Your home is where memories are made, and life is lived – the base of your “operations,” so to speak. This is why ensuring your home is set up for success is important.
1. Add A Fresh Coat of Paint.
One of the quickest and easiest ways to transform a space is to add a fresh coat of paint. Paint can completely change the look and feel of a room, and it’s a relatively inexpensive way to make a big impact.
2. Update Your Hardware.
Another simple way to upgrade your home is to update your hardware, including things like door handles, cabinet pulls, light fixtures, and plumbing fixtures. Updating your hardware can make a big difference in the overall look of your home, and it’s a relatively inexpensive way to change things up. Want a specific look? Check out thrift or antique stores for unique door pulls!
3. Replace Your Light Bulbs.
This is another easy way to upgrade your home. LED bulbs are more energy-efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs, and they will save you money on your energy bill in the long run. They also last longer than traditional bulbs, so you won’t have to replace them as often.
4. Get New Window Treatments.
Window treatments can make a big difference in the overall look and feel of a room. If your window treatments are outdated or worn, consider upgrading your home with something new.
5. Add Some Greenery.
Adding greenery to your home is a great way to freshen things up and add life to your space. Plants can purify the air, improve your mood, and boost your immune system, so they’re definitely worth considering if you’re looking for fast home upgrades.
6. Rearrange Your Furniture.
Sometimes all you need to do to update your space is to rearrange your furniture. This can give a room an entirely new look without costing you anything but time and effort. So, if you feel like your home could use an update, start by moving things around and see what kind of difference it makes.
7. Get Rid of Clutter.
Clutter can make even the nicest homes feel chaotic and uninviting. Getting rid of it is always one of the best home upgrades. You can donate items you no longer use or sell them online or at yard sales. Photograph the item and create a digital album if there are memories attached. Discard items that no longer have a use.
8. Get an Energy Audit.
One of the best ways to save money and energy in your home is to get an energy audit. An energy audit is a process in which a professional evaluates your home’s energy use and provides recommendations for improvement. An energy audit can help you to identify areas where your home is losing energy, such as through drafty windows or inefficient appliances.
9. Install Energy Efficient Windows.
If your home has old, drafty windows, one of the best ways to improve its energy efficiency is to install new, energy-efficient windows. They are designed to reduce the heat lost through your windows in the winter and gained in the summer. This will help to keep your home more comfortable year-round while also saving you money on energy bills.
10. Add Insulation.
Another way to improve your home’s energy efficiency is to add insulation. Home upgrades with insulation help to keep heat from escaping in the winter and prevents heat from entering your home in the summer. Adding insulation to your attic, walls, and floors makes a big difference in the comfort of your home and the amount of money you spend on heating and cooling each year.
11. Seal Air Leaks.
In addition to adding insulation, another way to improve your home’s energy efficiency is to seal any air leaks. Air leaks occur when there are gaps or cracks in your home’s envelope, such as around doors and windows or in the attic or crawlspace. These gaps allow heat to escape from your home in the winter and enter your home in the summer, making your HVAC system work harder and driving up your energy bills. Sealing air leaks is a relatively easy and inexpensive way to improve your home’s comfort while saving money on heating and cooling costs.
12. Upgrade Your Heating and Cooling System.
If your heating and cooling system is over 10 years old, it may be time for an upgrade. Older systems are often much less efficient than newer ones, meaning they use more energy and cost more money to operate. Replacing an old system with a new, high-efficiency model can help you save money on your energy bills while also improving the comfort of your home.
13. Hire a Cleaning Service.
If the mess and clutter are overwhelming, or you have been unable to keep up with the cleaning, hiring a service is a way to upgrade your home. You can hire a one-time big clean, a bi-weekly tidy up, a monthly deep clean, or a clutter clear out. Bringing in cleaning help can save you time and sanity.
14. Subscribe to the Right Subscription Boxes.
Subscription boxes are fun, but unwanted or unused items clutter up the house. Choose boxes that enrich your life and your home.
15. Follow These YouTube Channels.
Some home maintenance or home upgrade projects can easily become DIY with a little guidance, rather than paying for a professional. Of course, you should always rely on a professional for more complex or possibly dangerous things like garage door replacement and furnace repair. However, for smaller items, check out these channels: Build.com, This Old House, and DIY Network.
16. Start a Journal.
If there are lots of home upgrades to take care of, or big renovation projects to do, it can feel overwhelming. Start a journal to map out and document the process. Note accomplishments, inspiration, and ideas that pop up. You will have a fun way to look back on things when the project is done. Combine it with gratitude journaling to help improve your overall outlook.
17. Clean the Kitchen & Organize the Pantry.
It’s the heart of the home for a reason, but the kitchen is often one of the busiest and most cluttered spaces. Having a clean and organized kitchen is important because it empowers you to eat, live and socialize better. Home upgrades in the kitchen can include space savers in the cupboards, clearing out and organizing the pantry, moving small appliances into easy-access storage, and brightening up the area with a new backsplash or paint.
18. Open the Windows.
As you upgrade your home, do not overlook the importance of natural light. Keep the window areas clear and as often as possible, open your windows.
19. Make a Maintenance Chart.
Make a spreadsheet of when big items need attention (furnace replacement, roof shingles, hot water tank, appliances), so you can start saving. Having an emergency fund for big-ticket items will save you a lot of anxiety and possibly credit card or loan debt. With foresight, you have years to save up for things like a roof replacement. Get to know the expected lifecycle of your home’s main elements, so you are prepared ahead of time.
20. Rent a Storage Locker.
We all have items we want to keep, but they are only for hobbies, a home business, or seasonal events. These take up a lot of room in the home and contribute to clutter. One of the best ways to upgrade your home is to rent a storage unit. Clean, secure, climate controlled, and affordable – a storage unit is a dependable home upgrade that lets you keep important belongings without losing any valuable living space.
Rely on Guardian Storage for units of all sizes in Pennsylvania and Colorado. With a helpful blog, free Shred-It dates, online payment options, free moving trucks (conditions apply), covered loading docks, and more, we take care of all your self-storage needs. Rely on us when you need to store items during a home reno, when you are moving, or if you need seasonal items out of the way. Contact us today to learn more.
