Tip 1: Start with your bedroom.
Studies say that about a 1/3 of your life is spent sleeping. That is a lot of time in your bedroom! So, it makes a lot of sense to make your bedroom as nice as possible.
First, pick your new bedding very well - it makes a huge difference. An easy way to save a little more money is to paint the walls of your bedroom to match your new bedding. Nice photographs or paintings will add a new look to your bedroom.
Adding some new furniture (or use... or, simply rotating furniture from another room into your bedroom) can give your room a brand new look and feel.
Tip 2: Always Look for the Least Expensive Fixes First
Painting is one of the most cost-effective improvements! Recently painted rooms look clean and updated - and that so valuable. Paint your kitchen cabinets to give them a fresh, new look and change out the hardware (handles, knobs, etc.)
Replace the lighting in the bathroom will improve the appearance of the room. For example replace the typical incandescent R-type lamps with the less "yellow" PAR-type bulbs. Installing dimmer switches is another inexpensive solution to keep light levels low for a midnight bathroom break or to create a romantic mood for bubble baths.
Tip 3: Add new Energy-Efficient Fixtures
A decorative ceiling fan is a beautiful and functional thing. It provides necessary light and, in warm nights, creates a nice breeze limiting the need for air condition. But, an outdated, broken, loud or wobbly ceiling fan is useless. Replace old fixtures with new ones to make your home more comfortable for you.
Tip 4: Cut Energy Costs
Your energy costs may seem like a fixed amount each month, but many local utility companies offer free energy audits of their customers. These companies can help you to maximize the energy efficiency of your home with appropriate costs. This energy-efficient home will keep you money now, which can be useful to other updates. Plus, there are ways to cut down on electric, oil, or gas by learning how to best use your appliances, turning off lights when not in use, etc.
Tip 5: Keep up With Regular Maintenance and Repairs
This is more of a long-term tip. It isn't as exciting as the others, but if done properly, can keep your home looking beautiful for decades. From time to time, check your home and make a list of all the little things that are need to repair. These small repairs could not be so significant, but if you neglect them every time they accumulate and may cause a big problem. If you don't feel so interested repairing these things yourself, hire a handyman for a day and let this "list" disappear forever. He will organize various rooms in your home and give you some advices for keeping them organized.
