The New Year is a time for fresh starts, and there’s no better way to start than by improving your home. A few small changes can make your old home feel brand new.
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Get an Inspection
If you’re buying a new home, having a thorough home inspection is the best way to ensure that it has all the important stuff in place before moving in. It will uncover issues like mold or water damage, any do-it-yourself projects that aren’t up to code, and more. Likewise, if you’re doing major renovations on your current home, it’s worth having an inspector look at the property before you start so that they can assess how much work will be needed to bring the finished product up to code and standard.
Those who are selling their homes should also consider getting a pre-inspection before planting the for-sale sign. That way, you’ll know about potential red flags ahead of time so that you can address them before a prospective buyer raises his or her eyebrows and sends the deal into limbo.
For example, if your home has aluminum wiring (used between 1965 and the mid-1970s), it could present a fire hazard because the metal can overheat at the connections. An inspector will make sure there are enough functioning ground fault circuit interrupters installed to protect against electrical shock and fire.
Update Your Lighting
Updating your lighting is a quick and easy way to improve your home. Whether your old fixtures are dated or simply not working efficiently, replacing them with new ones is an inexpensive project that will make your home safer and more appealing to buyers. Additionally, LED lights are more energy efficient and cost less to operate. Adding new light fixtures to your bathroom, bedroom, entryway or outdoor spaces can make your home look trendier and highlight unique architectural features without making a major dent in your wallet.
Having updated lighting throughout your home also increases safety and can prevent hazards like tripping or not being able to see an intruder.
Make Small Repairs
While you may have a vision for the home, it’s important to keep your improvements within realistic boundaries. A water feature or koi pond out back won’t appeal to all buyers, and you’ll be hard-pressed to recoup the cost when it comes time to sell. Also, significant repairs such as laying tile or planking the floors are best tackled before you move in, says Matke. That way, you can do so without getting furniture or carpet wet.
Refresh Your Wardrobe
Whether it’s due to spring weather or a life change, it is always a good idea to refresh your wardrobe. Often, this means getting rid of clothes that you no longer love or that no longer fit you and then adding in a few fresh pieces that work with what you have.
Taking the time to do a closet cleanout helps you find the pieces that actually spark joy for you, and it allows your wardrobe and dresser to breathe so you can get more use out of your favorite items. We recommend doing a category by category approach when refreshing your wardrobe as it will help you figure out what to keep and what to donate.
Having a capsule wardrobe is another great way to refresh your style without buying everything new. This means having a few quality basic pieces that can be dressed up or down with different accessories and shoes. It is also important to have a few fun pieces like bags, jewelry, and scarves that will help you add some pops of color and interest to your outfits.
