Guest Post Author: Seth Murphy
If you haven’t done much to your home in the last few years, you might be ready to make some updates, especially if you are still spending a lot of time at home because of the pandemic. And the good news is that you can create a healthy, comfortable aesthetic in your living space without draining your bank account or taking off work.
Determine Your Budget
Before planning out your home upgrades, you will need to figure out how much you can spend. Then you will need to create a budget you can stick to. This will help you stay in a healthy financial situation while also helping you make specific design plans. For example, maybe you don’t have the budget to renovate your basement, but you can afford to repaint the walls in your living room to brighten up the space.
Even if you go the cost-effective route, you will need to pay for materials and any professional services necessary. If you don’t have savings built up for home improvement projects, you might consider refinancing your home. This typically entails replacing your existing mortgage with a larger amount and more favorable terms with a new loan. You can receive the difference between the two mortgages in cash and use that to pay for your projects.
Edit Your Outdoor Space
Before you start planning your interior design updates, think of ways to enhance your outdoor living space. After all, spending more time outside can do wonders for your overall health and wellbeing. Maybe you could add some vibrant furnishings and decor to your patio for a fun flare. Perhaps you could even paint an accent wall or change out your existing wicker furniture with more modern aluminum and durable options. Don't forget to shop already-built benches here.
Another option is to upgrade your landscaping. Perhaps you need to add mulch around your trees and flowers or plant a new garden. Maybe your property can benefit from landscape lighting or hardscaping. If you are unsure how to improve your outdoor space, reach out to a reputable landscape architect to help you put together a winning design.
Change the Lights and Decor
You might be surprised by how much of a difference some new decor and lighting can make in your living environment. You can dictate the mood and energy of a room or space by choosing the right light fixtures and bulbs. And if you go with a dimmable LED option, you can have even more control of the atmosphere while also saving on your electricity bill.
Check out the latest trends that fit best with your tastes and implement as many as you can.
As for decor, you can express yourself in a number of small ways, from a few plants that bring you joy, wall clocks that add character, and pallet wood wall art to make the statement you're looking for.
Find what makes you happy and sprinkle it around — you may be surprised how a little goes a long way.
Give Stuff Away
Go through your home and determine if you have any furniture, decor, or clothing you no longer love. As long as the items are in decent condition, you could earn extra cash by selling them online or at local consignment shops. If you prefer instead to help other residents in your area, you could donate the items to a nearby nonprofit organization.
Rearrange the Furniture
Did you know that you can transform a space by working with what you already have? If you love your current furniture, explore different arrangements to see how you could better open up space in your home without sacrificing comfort. You can also breathe some new life into those older pieces by working with a furniture re-upholstery professional — just remember to make sure they’ve received good ratings and reviews from their previous customers!
A simple furniture re-arrangement can help you gain a new perspective without costing you a dime! For example, maybe you could move your sofa from the center of your living room to the wall. If you need additional seating, you could bring that small sofa in your home office to your living room or do the same with that armchair from your bedroom.
After a couple of years of spending more time at home, now could be the perfect time to invest in some home upgrades:
- Start by figuring out your budget and determining how you will pay for your improvements
- Consider your outdoor space and home lighting to find some impactful solutions
- Remember to sell or donate any items you no longer need (which also qualifies as sustainable choices)
- and experiment with rearranging the furniture you already have
Before long, you’ll be making impactful changes to your living environment!
To connect with Seth visit him here on his website.
Are you a resident of Seattle and like to learn more about landscape architecture services? Visit BrooksKolbLLC.net today!