Do you want to do some serious work to your home? If so, then you have come to the right place. This guide will help you to find out everything you need to know so you can make the best possible changes without going over budget.

Focus on your Front Door

Start with your front door if you want to make a long-lasting impression. If you improve your front door, then you will soon see that this adds some instant curb appeal. Believe it or not, a fresh coat of paint can work wonders if you want to transform the door you have now, and it will give your exterior a whole new look. If you know that your front door has had its day, then consider painting it if you can. You can also install a new handle with ease if you buy a kit online. This is a great way for you to make sure that you are always getting the job done at the cheapest possible rate.

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Get a Stair Runner

Stairs are usually the first thing that your visitor is going to see whenever they come to your home. If you can, it is a good idea for you to update it and add a bit of color. Make a big impact by opting for a nice bold stair runner. You can also opt for one that is striped if you want. This may cost you a few hundred but at the end of the day it is an investment that is worth making and it is a great way for you to transform your home without paying a small fortune. Be sure to invest in some correx sheets if you want to protect the rest of your home.

Paint your Floorboards

DIY and decorating really do go hand-in-hand. A fresh coat of paint has the ability to transform any room, not to mention that you can also refresh your property on a budget. A lot of the paints in this day and age do not need primer so this means that you can paint over the floorboards that you have with ease for a very affordable cost. Just make sure that you take into account the floor area prior to choosing your paint so you can make the best possible decision.

Reinstate your Fire

Believe it or not, a fireplace is the best way for you to add a focal point to a room. Sadly, they weren’t seen this way in the 70s and a lot of them were ripped out. If you have a chimney breast that is bare, then why not choose to reinstall the fireplace? It beats having a TV as your focal point and you may find that it brings a lot of character to your home, which you may have felt as though you were missing. Installation can vary here and a lot of it depends on the option that you go with, so make sure that you take into account your budget and the cost of installation for that specific product.

Household expenses make up a substantial part of the monthly pay packet. It’s easy to go through most of the earnings for the month on just household expenses alone. From the bills to pay for grocery shopping, it quickly adds up.

With average monthly expenses ranging from $3,189 for one person to $6,780 for a family of five, it’s something that is worth focusing on to cut down costs.

How does the average household save money on household expenses? Here are a few suggestions worth knowing.

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Get everything checked annually

Be sure to get everything checked annually. From the heating to the laundry machine and tumble dryer, checking on these appliances that are used daily is a good way to help save money.

For example, using plumbers to check the drainage on the property is going to help prevent any damage caused by underlying issues. Spotting them early can help save a considerable amount!

Take a look at outgoings each month

When it comes to outgoings, it’s important to take a look at what’s coming out each month. Many people tend to subscribe and pay for these monthly expenses which in time, may go up in price.

Within a year, some of these expenses could have doubled in price without the individual realizing it. With that being said, make sure to take a look at the outgoings each month to keep an eye on anything that’s spiked up.

Use expensive goods with care

Expensive goods are costly to repair or fix, so make sure all these household items are being treated with care. Don’t overload the tumble dryer or put too much food down the food waste disposer when it’s only meant for smaller debris.

Everything has its breaking point and if it’s being used in a haphazard, chances are, it’s not going to last long. To save on household expenses, use everything more carefully.

Keep everything maintained and clean

Maintenance is important for saving money on household expenses. There are many benefits to keeping the home clean, not just for maintenance but to help give the family or household a mood boost.

No one wants to come home to a messy environment where the shower head is broken or the oven is caked in grease. Take care of the home and do everything possible to keep it well-maintained and cleaned.

Cut down on electricity usage where possible

Electricity usage is something that is important to cut down where possible as it can certainly rise up when used excessively. A few good practices around the home will help to save on electricity usage. These include switching off lights as people leave the room and lowering the usage of the big suckers of energy, like the laundry machine and tumble dryer.

An extra tip would be to turn electronics off at the outlet when they’re not in use.

Saving money on household expenses is important, especially with the cost of living making it harder for everyone at the moment.

Investing in your home is a great way to add value, and there are a number of different ways to do it. You might choose to renovate an existing room or add an entirely new one. Or, you might opt for a more major project, such as an extension.

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There are also a number of smaller projects that can have a big impact on the value of your home. Here are eight backyard additions that will increase the value of your home:

1. A Deck or Patio

Adding a deck or patio is a great way to create additional outdoor living space. It’s the perfect spot for entertaining guests or relaxing with family. Plus, it can add value to your home by increasing its curb appeal.

2. A Pool

A pool is a great addition to any home, and it can also add value. A pool can be a great selling point if you ever decide to put your home on the market. Remember to invest in Cool Pool Deck Coating and proper maintenance to keep your pool looking its best.

3. A Workshop

A workshop is the perfect place to take up all kinds of hobbies, from wood and metalwork to brewing beer. It can also be a handy place to store tools and other items outside of the home. A workshop could be anything from a simple garden shed to an outbuilding fitted with metal roofing. It could be a summer house, a garden room- whatever you need to create the space for the specific hobbies or tasks you plan on doing in there. 

4. A Greenhouse

A greenhouse is another great addition to any backyard. It’s perfect for avid gardeners who want to extend their growing season. Growing your own greens can be extremely rewarding, and it can also save you money on your grocery bill.

5. A Fire Pit

A fire pit is a great way to create an outdoor living space. It’s the perfect spot for entertaining guests or relaxing with family. Plus, it’s a great place for a barbecue which helps you save on electricity bills.

6. Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting is a great way to improve the look of your home and make it safer. It can also make your home more inviting and you can look at using LED or solar lights to save on energy costs.

7. A Fence

A fence is a great way to improve the privacy and security of your home. A wooden fence or a wrought iron fence can also add value and work well with the look and design of the main building. It can also be a boundary wall that can be used to increase the value of your home.

8. Landscaping

Landscaping is a great way to improve the look of your home and increase its value. Invest in high-quality plants and materials, and be sure to choose plants that are appropriate for your climate. It helps to create a habitat for local birds and animals which can be a bonus for any potential buyer.

There You Have It

These are just a few of the many ways you can increase the value of your home. By making some simple additions to your backyard, you can make your home more enjoyable and increase its resale value.

If you are looking to sell your property anytime in the near future or simply want a home that stands out from the crowd, then you need to work on its curb appeal. First impressions are so important. Curb appeal is all about making your house look attractive from the outside. Sometimes when we are in the hustle and bristle of sorting out the home decor, the exterior plays second fiddle, but this is a mistake. The first thing anyone sees is the front exterior, and if you want to wow, then that is where you need to start. So, let’s look at a few ways you can increase your home’s curb appeal.

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Doors

The front door and the garage door say a lot about the home and its owner. If you are looking for a speedy way to jazz up the outside, a brand-new front door could work for you. Even painting the existing one could be an option if it is in good condition. If your garage door has seen better days, then why not get a local garage door service. Remember, these are two of the first things any potential buyer will see, so it helps if they look up to scratch. 

Plant Pots

One quick and easy way to give the exterior a bit of luster is to buy some potted plants. Have these placed on either side of the door and down the steps, if you have any, in a symmetrical two-by-two pattern. Or if symmetry isn’t for you, why not try pots on one side or odd-sized pots? Potted plants can also be used down any paths or along borders. You can go a bright and bold as you like. Whatever suits your tastes. The beauty of pattern plants is that they are pretty easy to take care of. Just remember to water them when summer comes around.

Paving and Paths

You have to ensure that any paths and paving is up to scratch. Maybe all you need is a good clean with a pressure washer along with a lot of weed killer to sort it out. Or maybe you need to replace broken brickwork or patio slabs. Take an honest look and work out exactly what needs to be done. If you have a large front garden and no real path to speak of, perhaps this is a worthwhile investment. 

Grass

Beautiful, well-kept grass outside someone’s house always looks great. All the borders cut to perfection with a uniform green throughout makes anyone think that this is a person who cares. It shows dedication which you can only assume is mirrored in eh interior. All greatest pluses, however, grass can make or break the exterior. It takes work. You may need to returf, weed often, and buy a lot of grass seed, as well as trim and mow as often as it needs it. But if you can pull it off, a front garden can really work in your favor.  

Gravel

Over time gravel areas tend to dwindle away, becoming more and more sparse and sorry for themselves. If you have any grave areas, then you need to invest in rehashing them. If you can’t find the same stone, then you can go with a similar-looking stone and ensure you mix it in uniformly. 

Windows

Cleaning your windows seems pretty obvious, but when was the last time you did it? You’d be amazed how much dirt and grime windows attract, especially if you are close to a road. Cleaning the windows can bring that sparkle back. You may want to place things on the windowsills inside so they can be seen from the curb. This can be a nice touch if done well. 

Paint

Paint is a marvel and can really brighten up the exterior of any home. Perhaps you need to repaint the entire walls due to peeling paintwork, as well as repainting the window sills, steps, borders, and anything else that you have out there. You could choose the paint your home in the same colors as you had previously, or you could experiment with something else. The best advice is to look at homes similar to yours and find something that you would like to try. Remember, you will need different types of pain for different surfaces. If you are painting on brickwork or rendering, for example, then you will need some sort of masonry paint. You’ll also want a good exterior wood paint. The last thing you need is anything that will run when it rains.

Moving home is one of those experiences that is both exciting and terrifying at the same time. After all, it’s so filled with potential! The good news is you can make the transition to a new property a little easier by making sure you maximize your chances of choosing the right place. Indeed, there are some things you should always look for when choosing a new home, read on to find out what they are. 

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Convenient location 

Location is always the first thing you should consider when looking for a new home. Indeed, it will help you narrow down your search criteria, and help set your budget. 

Of course, different families want different things from the location they choose. For instance, a family with a young child may look for an apartment that is close to all the amenities they need like shops, and a gym, and that has elevators for pushchairs as all these things will make their busy lives easier. 

Personal style 

Most real estate guides will tell you to try and ignore the style in which a property is decorated because you can always change the decor to suit your own personal style once you have moved in. 

However, there are two important exceptions to this rule. The first is if you plan to rent a home, rather than buy it as you may not have permission to decorate. While the second is that it does make sense to consider the outside style of the home because if you love to live in old historical buildings, a brand new apartment just isn’t going to cut it. 

That it’s big enough 

One of the biggest concerns in any property is space. This is because you need to choose a home that is big enough for the way your family lives their lives, otherwise you just won’t be comfortable. 

Of course, as space also comes at a premium it’s usually a delicate balance between making sure you have enough, but not too much. As the latter means, you will be wasting precious money. 

A good rule of thumb in determining whether a property has enough space for your family is to look for bedrooms equally the number of family members plus one. Then you will have an extra room for guests, or to use as an office or hobby space. 

That it doesn’t need any major work 

Unless you are choosing a property for renovation it’s pretty important to make sure that the house you pick does not need any significant work done to it. This is because it can take up a lot of valuable time and money, and be a major inconvenience while the work is being done. 

The best way to make sure that your property is in great condition before you make the decisions is to get a thorough survey. This is where a professional will inspect the building in detail and give specialist advice on any prominent or potential problems, something that will allow you to make a fully informed decision. 

Gardening can take up a lot of your time. In fact, it’s all too easy to dedicate your entire weekend to it and have no time left over to do anything else. 

In this post, we take a look at some gardening hacks that help you get more done in less time. The results are spectacular, but the inputs are simple. Here’s what you need to know: 

Take The Labor Out Of Hydration

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Going around watering all your plants requires a lot of time. But, thanks to new technology, you no longer have to rely on watering cans. There are systems today that are much more effective and will work even if you go away at the weekend. 

But what are we talking about?

Well, there are two options. The first is to set up a sprinkler so that it covers your beds as well as your lawn. This is the rough and ready approach and works best for people with a lot of similar species in their gardens. 

Then there is the more high-tech approach. Today, you can buy solar-powered systems that water nearby plants when they detect low soil moisture levels. Water turns on when plants need it. 

Get Starter Trees

Today, you can buy trees online that already have a couple of years of growth in them. This means that you can avoid all of the risks that come with fostering young trees (such as hot weather or soil saturation) that can kill them off. You simply plant them in the ground and then they grow rapidly over the coming years without you having to worry about them too much. The older the trees you buy, the more expensive they will be, similar to ducklings or chicks. 

Make A Hummingbird Enticement

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Having hummingbirds in your garden is one of the most wonderful experiences. But, unfortunately, these creatures tend to be quite rare. 

That, though, shouldn’t be a problem if you use the right recipe. There are plenty of hummingbird formulations out there. Just find the right one and then wait patiently to see whether any arrive in your backyard. 

Get Greener Foliage

Everyone is trying to get greener foliage by repositioning plants or swapping out old species for new ones. 

But the key to green foliage is actually to get their nutrition right. All plants will grow green if they have the right minerals. 

The top mineral for the job is magnesium. It is responsible for making chlorophyll, the part of plants that makes them green. Just sprinkle garden-grade magnesium around the plants that you want to make green and then mix it in with the soil and see what a difference it makes. It works on everything, from veggies to flowers. 

Place Buried Paper Bags Of Garden Waste In The Ground

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Lastly, if your composter is taking forever, try burying paper bags of garden waste instead. Over time, microbes and worms in the soil will break all the waste down and then plants will feed on it to grow big and strong.