Can you believe that 2023 is coming to an end and a whole new year is just around the corner? This time of year, many people choose to go into a “state of self” by taking a couple of days for themselves to sit back and analize the year that they have been through and plan the year ahead. 

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As they say, out with the old and in with the new and the same should apply to your home. With the new year approaching, it is time to take a step back and take a good look at your home exterior. Do you see any cracks that need fixing? Perhaps a new garage door or a fresh coat of paint? Some gardening work or a new deck? 

Here are 15 Home Exteriors to Consider Fixing Before The New Year Starts:

Repair Your Garage Door: 

Over time, garage doors can become worn out and start to malfunction. Make sure to arrange for your garage door repair and fix any issues before they become a bigger problem. The last thing you want is to start the new year with a massive bill because of your garage door.

A Fresh Coat of Paint:

A lovely fresh coat of paint can make all the difference in giving your home exterior a brand new look for 2024. Choose a color that reflects your personal style and adds curb appeal, should you choose to sell your home this new year.

Fix Your Cracks: 

Whether it’s your driveway, windows, walkway or walls, cracks can make your home look very old and especially neglected. Fill them in and give your home the facelift it deserves.

Update Your Front Door: 

The entrance to your home should make a statement. Consider updating your front door with a new color or design to add character and charm.

Replace Old and Torn Windows: 

Not only do old windows look unappealing, but they can also be a strain on your energy bill with all the draughts they cause. It is best to replace them with newer, more energy-efficient options.

Add Some Outdoor Lighting: 

Illuminate your home exterior and add an extra layer of security by installing outdoor lighting or even just hanging some fairylights in your trees. It can also create a warm and inviting ambiance for guests.

Clean out or Replace Gutters: 

Clogged or damaged gutters can cause water damage and decrease the value of your home. Two major things you do not need nor want for 2024. So, make sure to clean them regularly or replace them if necessary.

Update Your Roof: 

Roofs can be very costly to replace, but it’s important to take care of any issues before they become even more expensive. Consider updating your roof if it’s showing signs of wear and tear.

Spruce Up Your Landscaping: 

Adding some fresh plants, trees, flowers or hardscaping can enhance the look of your home exterior drastically. It’s a very simple way to give your home a facelift. Consider ading some fountains etc to add more life to your garden.

Fix the Fencing: 

If you have a fence around your property, make sure that it is in good condition. Fix any broken or damaged parts and add a fresh coat of paint if needed. This can really help with adding some much needed curb appeal to your home.

Photo by Maria Isabella Bernotti

Do you know why your home’s exterior is so important?

Well, upgrading your home curb appeal will significantly enhance your property’s values, which creates a lasting positive first impression for your visitors or prospective buyers. Keeping up with your home exterior and fixing everything that needs to be fixed can potentially increase your property values over time and thus, providing financial rewards in the form of higher property values and financial benefits. 

In addition, exterior updates like replacing old windows or upgrading roof can increase the energy efficiency in your home,  leading to much needed reduced utility bills and savings in the longrun.

Hiring professionals for your home exterior updates is certainly worth taking into consideration.

Every homeowner want to tackle their home projects “DIY style”. While it may be cheaper, I will cost another house to fix something that could’ve been prevented just by hiring a professional. They have the specialized knowledge and experience necessary for high-quality work. 

In particular, certain tasks, like roof repairs or gutter replacements can be hazardous without proper training and tools; professionals are equipped to tackle them safely and efficiently while often offering warranties or guarantees on their services – providing homeowners with peace of mind that professional assistance plays a pivotal role in home exterior updates.

Conclusion

So there you have it! Now go ahead and give your home that much-needed face lift it deserves after 2023!

Our needs change over time. Your home may have been spacious enough when you first moved in, but if you now have kids or work from home, then you may find that it’s not as spacious as you need it to be. Plus, we often acquire bulky items over time that can make our properties feel a little more claustrophobic.

Most people look at selling up and moving somewhere new when they need more space, but there is another option: you can create more space in your current home. In this post, we’ll look at some handy and effective methods for doing just that. 

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Use Dead Space

If it feels like you’re running out of space in your home, then it’s worth checking to see if you’re actually using all of the available space on offer. For instance, many people have “dead spaces” in their properties that they could put to good use. For example, what about the space under your stairs? That’s a sizable portion of space which, once converted, could provide additional storage space. You may also consider converting your attic or basement. Landings and corridors can also be used as storage areas too just by investing in a cabinet.

Go Open Plan

It’s not always about making your home actually larger, but more about making it feel larger. If you’ve got a small home, then consider going open plan. This involves removing a wall or two, which will make a little more space yet make it feel much more spacious. The obvious area to focus on is your kitchen; open-plan kitchens have proven to be especially popular in recent years, and can even add value to your property. It requires work, but it’s usually a great move. 

Use Your Yard

People focus so much on how much space they have inside their four walls, yet often forget that they’ve got a whole bunch of other land just sitting there waiting to be used too. For instance, in their yard. If you’ve got the space, consider adding a shed or barn from a company such as Secure Storage Sheds; they’ll give you much more storage space than before, allowing you to keep bulky items out of your house. Plus, choose correctly and you’ll have a shed/barn that looks great too. 

Multipurpose Rooms 

Many of us want to have a guest room, office, and reading room in our home. The problem is that if you have more than one of those in your home, then you’ll likely run out of room pretty quickly. Instead, look at creating multipurpose rooms. One room could be a guest room when people are visiting, an office during the workweek, and a reading room on Sunday afternoons. 

Audit Your Property 

Finally, look at going through your property and seeing if you really need all the items you have. You might find that you can create significantly more space at home just by getting rid of some belongings that no longer serve a purpose.

Do you want to list your home on the market? If so then you need to make sure that you do your research. You need to take steps to make sure that you list your property in the best light possible but at the same time, you also need to make sure that there are no major issues at hand.

Lots of Listings

The housing market falls, but it also rises. If you have tried to list a home at a great price during the real estate boom then you may find that it’s difficult to compete. If there are a lot of homes on the market then it may be very difficult to sell your own. This is especially the case if the listed homes just aren’t selling, or if the price of them is continually being reduced. If you want to work around this then the best thing you can do is wait until the boom is over. Wait until there is less competition on the market and then list your home as being a prime piece of real estate. If you can do this then you will soon see a major improvement in the price you get for it.

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Neighborhood Conditions

Apart from foreclosures, there are a lot of other aspects that can detract from how much buyers may be willing to pay. If you live near an airport or if you live by the train tracks then this can create a lot of noise pollution. If part of the town is known for a lot of criminal activity then this is also an issue. You can attempt to negotiate with bad neighbors and there are some situations that you can work around as well but with that being said, there are some things that you can’t remedy and the only way to solve the situation would be for you to move before things get too much worse.

School Districts

Did you know that the quality of schools can also impact how much a buyer is willing to hand over? If you know that the schools in the area are just not healthy or flourishing then this could be driving down the house price overall. It’s very common for people to move to places that have the best schools but if your home is not near any of them then this could be affecting you. There is not a lot that you can do about this, other than wait for one of the schools to try and improve their reputation. 

Serious Issues

If your home has some serious issues, such as subsidence or even water damage then you have to get this sorted before you list it on the market. If you don’t then you may find that you end up experiencing serious issues later down the line. Your home may be drastically reduced in value and this can have long-term consequences. Hiring a water restoration service is the best way for you to deal with this, and it can also stop issues from occurring later down the line.

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All heating systems – including furnaces, boilers and heat pumps – need to eventually be replaced. However, you can extend their life by maintaining them properly. By not having to replace your heating system as regularly, you could save money in the long run. Below are a few tips to help you extend the life of your home’s heating system. 

Service your heating annually

A service involves doing a number of checks to make sure that your heating system is working properly. On top of making sure that your heating system is safe, a service can check that there are no hidden faults that need fixing. Finding faults early can help you to get them fixed early. This can prevent small problems from getting big and causing knock-on damage – overall, extending the life of your heating system.

Know when to repair instead of replacing

You shouldn’t replace your boiler or furnace after a single fault. This is particularly important if your heating system is less than 5 years old. Be prepared to carry out repairs first – you could still have many years left of use before needing to consider a replacement. You should think about replacing your heating system if it is continuously breaking down or constantly leaking and losing pressure – at this point, the cost and hassle of getting your heating continuously repaired isn’t worth it. 

Clean out filters

Different heating systems have different types of filters, which all essentially do the same thing – they help to collect contaminants and stop them getting circulated into the air/back through your heating system. A magnetic boiler filter stops unwanted waste from entering your boiler and should ideally be cleaned once per year. HVAC filters are meanwhile found over air vents in air vent systems, and should be cleaned every 3 months to both keep your home’s air clean and reduce demand on your furnace.

Know when to use professionals

While you may be able to clean your air vents yourself or bleed radiators, most other heating system jobs require hiring a professional. The likes of boiler repair or water heater repair can require specialist knowledge involving plumbing and electrics. Attempting to carry out repairs yourself could be dangerous if you make a mistake. You could also cause unwanted damage to your heating system if you don’t know what you’re doing, which could speed up the need for a replacement.

Don’t overwork it

Most regular home heating systems are not designed to constantly be roaring on the highest temperature setting. This can wear out parts more quickly and lead to an earlier replacement. Try to be more economical with your heating so that you’re not overworking it. A replacement may be necessary if you live in a big home or very cold climate and are using a boiler or furnace designed for a smaller home or temperate climate – there are heavy duty heating systems that are much better taking on the demands of a large home or cold climate, where more energy is required to reach the desired temperature. 

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Winter home cleaning is just as essential as any other time of the year, if not more. There are hazards and issues that come with the season. However, it is fairly easy to keep up a routine with regular vacuuming, and it’s also an ideal time to grab a squeegee and clean the windows.

Play it Safe with Some Jobs

Winter can be dangerous because of the increased chance of slipping on ice and decayed leaves. While some jobs are fun in the summer, they aren’t really the best for safety when the weather is much colder. These include patio and decking cleaning, for example. Cleaning these is best left to a pressure washing company with trained professionals who are able to carry out these jobs safely. It’s also a good idea to hire a chimney sweep to get the fire ready for winter.

Use the Vacuum for Winter Home Cleaning

Vacuuming should be part of any regular cleaning schedule because it is so effective at removing dust and other dangerous things around the home. Dust and allergens build up all over the place, especially in the most used rooms. High-usage rooms, such as the living room, should be vacuumed at least twice per week. But a good routine is every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, especially if you have children and/or pets, which contribute more dust and dander.

Don’t Forget the Radiators/HVAC

Keeping your radiators clean is essential in winter. These often get overlooked, and the amount of dust that can accumulate is horrendous. When they are switched on, the heat can cause dust to come loose, where it will settle in the room. Radiator cleaning pipes are very cheap and last forever. However, there is also another reason to clean radiators in winter. Dusty radiators don’t work as well and can’t distribute heat efficiently, causing higher heating bills in winter.

Focus on the Entrance Hall

The entrance hall is the highest traffic area of the home because it’s where people come and go. And this means debris from outside will be trekked into your home, so keep it clean:

• Buy doormats (inside and out) to get rid of mud, rain, and snow.
• Use a boot tray or shoe rack to make sure debris isn’t trekked inside.
• Ask family and friends to remove their shoes before entering your home.
• Use steam cleaners and vacuums more often in a dog-friendly home.
• Use sectional doors if you have them installed between hallway areas.

If you have children or a lot of visitors, then you must pay attention to the hall area. Steam cleaners will help kill any germs from outside, such as dog poop brought in on shoes.

Clear Fallen Leaves from Your Paths

Falling leaves are a joy to watch in autumn as the season changes. However, as winter approaches, these can become a hazard. Fallen leaves attract pests and bugs, which can be hazardous alone. But they also decay and become very slippery. Of course, combined with ice, this is potentially a very dangerous thing. A slip or fall can break bones and cause you to miss work. Not what you need when you have upcoming holidays to attend with family and friends.

Do the Windows when Winter Home Cleaning

Cleaning windows is a challenging part of home maintenance but is essential for getting the best view of the outside. It is recommended that you clean the windows around twice per year. But this can be more if you live in a rainy area or near the sea where seaspray clings to the glass. However, it is, of course, cold, and cleaning the windows in winter is unappealing. But winter is an ideal time because the decreased sunlight is less likely to cause streaks on the outside.

Don’t forget to Deep Clean High Use Areas

Deep cleaning is essential for a safe and hygienic home. And it is no more essential than during winter. Winter is a joyous time of year, but it brings some rather nasty things. For example, cold and flu. This means that any high-traffic areas, such as the kitchen and bathroom, are potential breeding grounds for germs. And don’t forget to let fresh air into your home during winter. The higher moisture and heat of winter with windows closed are ideal conditions for growing mold.

Summary

It helps to use professionals for some winter home cleaning jobs, such as cleaning the patio. Yet you can focus on areas like the entrance hall, bathroom, and kitchen. This will help keep germs and bacteria to a minimum, and ventilating the home properly will reduce the chance of mold.

Your backyard should be spacious and tidy, especially if you want to spend time there. Unfortunately, many struggle with unkempt, disorganized, and cluttered spaces. Often, outdoor furniture and poorly organized storage are the main culprits responsible for creating an unrelaxing mess in most backyards. Bringing order, organization, and space to your backyard and home’s exterior shouldn’t be difficult. The following decluttering tips can help you.

1. Recycle or throw away old furniture

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The only furniture permitted in your backyard is your outdoor furniture. This space isn’t (and should not) be a dumping site for old furniture you no longer use. The same applies to patio and outdoor chairs you no longer want. Rusty, broken, dirty, and mold-riddled furniture is unsightly and can harbor harmful pests and parasites. Consider recycling or repurposing old furniture where possible. If not, throw it away. Do the same for old and chunky backyard decorations and other outdated items.

2. Divide your backyard into functional zones

Bringing a good organizational structure to your backyard can help create a lot of space while making it look tidy. Establish seating and relaxing areas, recreation and gardening, and outdoor storage. Doing this will bring some order to your space and make it easier to maintain. It would help if you also had a separate area for waste, away from your sitting areas. Garbage bins should be neatly tucked away and covered. Also, use weather-resistant outdoor storage solutions for items you want to store in your backyard. 

3. Clean, clean, clean

Regular cleaning is paramount for your backyard to remain clean, organized, and clutter-free. How often you should clean depends on how often you use your backyard and for what purposes. However, experts recommend a weekly cleanup schedule. Pick one of the week (ideally, a weekend) and spruce up your backyard. Cut the grass, check on your backyard garden, remove fallen leaves and branches, and put away anything that does not belong in that space. Also, look out for animal poop if you own a pet. If cleaning pet poop isn’t your forte, you can hire experts from websites like Swoopscoop.com to do it for you.  

4. Store oversized items under your deck or porch

Sometimes, you must get creative when storing large items in your backyard, as not everything will fit into your shed. If you have a porch or patio with enough space under it, consider turning it into a makeshift storage area for large items. Things like outdoor sports gear, ladders, pool poles, parasols, kayaks, and foldable benches can slide right under your elevated platform and away from view. The smaller items can hang in your shed, leaving you with enough space. 

5. Declutter gradually

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Decluttering a backyard can be very demanding, especially if you’re dealing with a lot of stuff in a large space. Make it a gradual process to ease the stress and do a more thorough job. Consider removing items in manageable chunks over time, but be careful not to add more stuff to your backyard while decluttering. Also, complete one area of your backyard before moving to another area.