Category: Home Improvement

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Health & Home Home Improvement

DIY Home Improvement Projects To Do This Summer

5 DIY Home Improvement Projects For Summer

Summer typically calls for lazy times in the pool but it’s also a great time for the much-needed home improvement projects you’ve been putting off. DIY home improvement ideas are literally the best because they save time and money and your home too gets a lot of TLC.

In this blog, we’re going to share five fantastic DIY home improvements for this summer and how you can upgrade your home without much effort.

1. Improved Window Treatments For Your Home

Have you ever thought of window treatments to beat the summer heat and keep your house comfortably cool despite the blazing sun outside? The best part is that installing advanced window treatments is not a complex job at all and it’s an easy DIY thing. You only need simple things like a blackout curtain or two, some motorized roller shades or even greater options from the market variety.

You’d probably even enjoy installing these, not to mention how outfitting the windows with shades will protect you and your family from harmful UV light and blind glares. Rid goodbye to scorching summer heat indoors with this DIY idea.

2. Bring Summer Into Your Home With More Plants

Summer may be hot but it’s a beautiful weather nonetheless. How better to enjoy it than bringing in some more greenery right in your house? This summer, give your outdoor area, a balcony or a designated corner in your home a fresh makeover with vibrant summer plants.

If you can afford it, try to spruce the area with a bright paint color too or landscape it if you’re feeling a tad more adventurous. Gardens have a magical ability to transform the aesthetical appeal of homes and perennials, hydrangeas, lupines etc. make the best choice.

If you’re not up for braving the summer heat and venturing outdoors, then you can stay in, give your interiors some glam makeover and still enjoy the season. A wall gallery sounds like a very creative idea and it is the best ways of livening up a home. You can look at creative DIY ways of converting a prominent wall in your home into a gallery wall.

Decorate it with family photos, some colorful artwork or even blend the two for a more striking end result.

4. Give Your Home’s AC Filters a Good Scrub

This might not be a lot of fun but it is necessary nonetheless. Replacing or at least cleaning your AC filters will make the summer more bearable and especially important if you have not done it for long.

The filters of any HVAC unit can accumulate tons of dirt, when we fail to clean them in a couple of months. You could make this DIY idea your summer project and thankfully, it does not take very long. You only have to locate the furnace vents on your AC, unscrew then and clean the filters thoroughly. If they’re beyond rescue, replacing them would also be a good idea. You can rid the filters of the mold, dust and tons of allergens living on it and ensure your family will only be breathing in cleaner air through the season.

5. Give Your Floor Some TLC This Summer

We’re usually focusing so much on statement walls, light fixtures, kitchen hardware etc. that we fail to realize the floor could do with some makeover too. This summer, you can give your floor some brightness and make it the highlight of the summer season.

You can go for an all out black and white tiling, neutral light tiling, matte tiles or those with graphic patterns or even settle for some hexagonal beauty. If you want something simpler, perhaps a darker stain to your existing hardwood or pulling up the carpet would do the trick too.

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Health & Home Home Improvement

What I Wish I Knew Before I Did Home Renovations

What I Wish I Knew Before I Did Home Renovations

As fresh DIY-ers we all start out with a lot of energy, enthusiasm and readiness for adventure. Years down the line, when we look back, we call regret not taking the time to find out certain things or not making assumptions that would have yielded better results for our home renovations.

In this blog, I’m going to share what I wish I knew before I renovated, to help you refrain from committing the same:

1. Do Not Start With Sweeping Renovation Changes Right Away

The prospect of home shopping is especially more exciting for us due to the prospect of getting to redecorate it as our own. In the excitement, we usually launch into the major haul as soon as we move in. Now that I look back on my home renovation journey, I wish I taken the time to first adjust to life in the new house.

If I had, I would have known better that the trendy new paint shade I’d chosen would make my living room look even darker and cavern-like. I would have realized which sheers to use or not to keep the sunlight flooding into my room in control.

The best approach is to put your to-do list off till you have adjusted to life in your new home, observed each and every nook and cranny in all lights at length, recognized your new self in the new house and then proceed.

2. Asking Local Contractors for Quotes

I wish I had not underestimated the costs of updates. If I had not relied on TC shows with stunning home makeovers so much, I’d have known asking local contractors to give quotes would have been the better idea.

Often home owners end up taking out loans because they fail to get quotes from local contractors and don’t realize the actual home renovation expenses could far exceed in reality.

3. Not Factoring in Temporary Housing During Renovations

If a home renovation is to be a large-scale one, families often have to temporarily relocate to motels, AirBnb rentals or ask friends to rend out their guesthouses. As such, being away from your kitchen and your own utensils mean you have to spend a lot more on takeout meals or restaurants.

If I’d known that, I would have budget better.

4. Consider Alternatives

Another thing I wish I had seen back as a renovating home owner was that I could do a lot of things differently, if I had taken the time to research. Often we let TC shows cloud so much of our logic that we believe there is only that way to renovate our deck, do up our kitchen or go for light fixtures etc.

What we see in a DIY video is not the only way to handle a task because what works for others might not necessarily work for your house. The best approach is to review more tutorials and methods before embarking on a renovation task.

5. Not Working with a Professional

Often we let the misconception that a designer or architect rip us off precious money cloud our decisions, The fact is that these professionals are the experts are the best ones to verify whether what your envision is practical for your home or not.

Often home owners end up tearing walls and putting up elaborate fixtures that end up being disastrous with the structure and chemistry of the house. Ask the experts if you’re on the right track to avoid any renovation disasters.

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Health & Home Home Improvement

11 Popular Pandemic Home Improvement Projects

11 Most Popular Pandemic Home Improvement Projects

Are you done sitting idle during the pandemic? We have eleven most popular home improvement projects to share with you. Perhaps you’d get the inspiration to make your time more interesting as the pandemic subsides and you home will get a fancy makeover too.

1. Fencing

Fencing is an ideal way of creating an impressive outdoor living space. You can add more definition to your outdoor area plus increase privacy with this home improvement project. The best part is that this upgrade is achievable in $100 or even less.

2. Exterior Upgrades

The pandemic has also seen 86% increase in exterior updates. So if you’re looking for a striking home improvement task, opt for landscaping or some exterior painting. The average cost for this will be around $2,960 for the exterior paint while landscaping may cost you $3,423 on an average.

3. Bathroom Remodeling

The other most popular pandemic home improvement trend has been bathroom remodels. If we’re to spend more time at home, it only makes more sense to have bathrooms where we can have a spa like or at least luxurious experience each time. At an average, bathroom remodels can cost around $10, 778.

4. Interior Painting

During the pandemic, home interiors have been seeing a lot of fancy makeovers too and are a relatively economical upgrade. If you’re planning an eye-catching transformation for your home, you could paint your interiors at an average cost of $2,007.

5. New Flooring

The next best pandemic home renovation trend is new flooring. The average costs of replacing worn-out wood, tiles or carpets are $4,680.

6. Kitchen Makeovers

During the pandemic thus far, 43% of homeowners have upgraded their kitchens, if your kitchen is approximately $150 square per foot, then you’d have to spend around $25, 544 on this home improvement project.

7. Remodeling the Living Room

Are you bored of your tired and dill-looking living room? So were 38% of other home owners too who utilized the pandemic free time to transform the highlight of their house. Renovating a living room costs an average of $2,050 to $3,150.

8. Upgrade Your Entryway

The entryway is among the first impressions of your home and it is only right to invest on upgrading it. Just like other homeowners, who spend an average of $509 in giving their entryways a fancier and newer look during the pandemic.

9. Make Your Bedroom Look New

Primary bedrooms have been the most lived-in during the pandemic and perhaps why more homeowners revamped these. Upgrading a basic bedroom during this time can cost your around $880 to $2,300.

10. Dining Rooms Upgrade

Since we’re no longer eating out at restaurants, home owners thought they create a fine dining ambience right at home. Dining room upgrades have been trending since the pandemic and cost an average of $12,000 for refurnishing.

11. Basement Upgrades

The pandemic is a good opportunity to make use of your fabulous spacious basement, if you haven’t done it before. Take cue from the 13% home owners who thought make their basement an appealing hangout was a good idea for surviving the social-distancing time.

This home renovation project will cost you $20,428 on an average.

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Financial Health & Home Home Improvement Tax Services

Are Home Improvements Tax Deductible?

are home improvements tax deductible

Tax code is a complex web of rules and regulations. Things you would never expect to be tax deductible are, while others that you might be certain are tax deductible are not. So, are home improvements tax deductible?

No, they are not ordinarily tax deductible. But that is not the full story.

What Home Improvements Are Not Deductible?

Home improvements will not count as tax credits on a home that you are currently using yourself. Whether it is a home you live in year-round, or a beach house you live in during the summer, these are the kinds of homes that you get no tax credit for improving.

However, you can get tax credit for the improvements you make to a home (or part of a home) that you use as part of a business.

If you sell a home, for instance, or if you rent it out during certain parts of the year, then the improvements you make to it become business expenses.

What kind of improvements count as the kind that will give you tax deductions?

Well, so long as the improvements extend the life of the home, or adapt it to new situations, the improvement will count as a tax deduction. Sadly, this means that luxuries like entertainment systems and saunas do not count as tax credits.

Interestingly, the definition of “improvements” in the context of taxes is rather specific. If you repair your roof or prepare it for harsh weather, that counts as an improvement that can be tax deductible if you sell or rent out the home.

If you call an exterminator to clear the house of bed bugs, rats, or termites, that can also count.

But what if you do not have a second home to rent out?

What if you do not plan to sell your current home before the end of the year? Is there anything you can do?

Well, yes. Odd as it is, if you register your home office as a part of your business, then money that you spend on that office is tax deductible. Sadly, this does not come with as many loopholes as you might think it does.

You cannot just install a new entertainment system, call it your office’s break room, then expect to be able to write that off as tax deductible.

A good example of how the office deductions work is thinking of replacing your roof or windows. If you replace five windows, but only one window for your office, then 20% of the cost of those window replacements is deductible.

One very important note: Improvements can only be deductible if they exist at the time taxes are incurred. So, if you install weathering on your home, but that weathering is gone by the time you sell your home, then you cannot use that weathering as a tax deduction.

Taxes are a truly dizzying maze of rules and regulations. While home improvements are not meant to be deductible, doing so is still possible.

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Health & Home Home Improvement

Home Trends Experts Say Will Dominate 2021

home trends of 2021

As we make our way further into 2021, we are starting to see shifts in design trends. What was once considered a popular home style is being replaced with several new looks. If the start of the new year has left you feeling inspired to start fresh, why not tackle some of these house projects? Leading design experts expect many home improvement projects centered around these seven trends.

Cozy Textures

It’s no surprise that so much time in our homes has caused many of us to reconsider our past style choices. Though sleek and chic designs are beautiful, they aren’t always the most comfortable. If you’re going to be spending a lot of time in your home, you want it to be cozy.

We expect to see a lot more integration of ultra-cozy pieces. Some of the most popular trends you can expect are faux furs, Sherpas, and chunky-knit blankets. Adding layers of various textures can create the cozy feel that so many of us need in the midst of a pandemic.   

Dark and Moody Colors

Since we are seeing so many people tackle house projects during this time, it’s not a surprise that some experimentation is happening. Though dark and moody colors are a bold choice, there’s no better time to try something new!

If you aren’t feeling brave enough to paint your whole office in one dark color, there are many ways to balance it. You can consider adding a single dark wall or playing with color in a room with a lot of natural light. Designers say that dark paint can make a big impact, so it is often a risk with a huge payoff.

Multifunctional Spaces and Furniture

Many children are still learning from home, and many of us adults are still working from home. It doesn’t look like any of this will be changing immediately, so it makes sense that a lot of homeowners are looking for multifunctional spaces. These kinds of pieces can include desks that double as chairs and vice versa, bedrooms that double as home offices, and more.  

Even outside of a pandemic, transitional designs give you more flexibility. More homeowners are looking at this home trend as an opportunity to pick pieces that are as beautiful as they are functional. That means that they still add something to the room even when they aren’t being used.

Neutral Colors

For those who still aren’t sold on the moody tones, have no fear! Neutral is still sticking around this year. Specifically, we’re seeing a lot of warm undertones in our neutral colors.

This home style is perfect for people who are going for a more relaxing setting. With all that is going on in the world, it is more important than ever that our homes feel like an escape. Best of all, it is easy to add bold accents to neutral designs when you’re finally feeling ready to embrace some color.

Mixed Metals

Gold and brass have already started to make their way back into home improvement projects. Whether the accents are through fixtures, knobs, lamps, or other accents, the home trend has continued to grow.

Not everyone is ready to ditch every silver finish in their home, so we are seeing a trend of mixed metals. If you’re feeling even more adventurous, now is the time to try adding some copper to the mix as well!

Natural Materials

Along with neutrals, natural materials have been a popular home trend for a few years, but experts say it isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. The change is in the way the materials are used. Caning and wicker are used in new ways with lighting, window treatments, and more.

We can also expect to see more wood used around the home. Many people are adding their own modern twist to wood molding to add visual interest to their walls. In fact, this home improvement project is easy to DIY, but it makes a huge impact in elevating a space.

Get Started on Your 2021 Home Improvement Project

These home trends aren’t only the start of what should be an exciting year in interior design. We hope that this list has left you feeling inspired to experiment with your own house while spending some much time inside. You can also consider taking this time to increase your home’s resale value with these home improvement projects!

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Health & Home Home Improvement Wellness

Spring Clean Your Life: How to Do it in Just 30 Days

spring clean your life

More critical than cleaning your home this spring is to clean your life: de-clutter, let go, and replenish the good that you’ve lost over time. A detoxed, cleaner, lighter, and healthier heart and soul is highly beneficial for a better life.

Here is how you can do it all in just thirty days:

First Week

Begin the first week by prioritizing good health. Swap out unhealthy food items from your diet for whole foods and organic ingredients. Next, assess your financial status and eliminate all unnecessary and unfruitful expenses.

If you haven’t started working out, build a routine immediately and choose exercises you enjoy comfortably. Then, reorganize and clear your pantry.

Second Week

Check your emotional status and let go of emotional baggage that is weighing you down. Clean and transform your shower, try to stop complaining, and look at things more optimistically. Keep your finances on track, too, while reducing all unnecessary spending.

At this point, it would be good to survey your bank statements and cancel the recurring charges you don’t use regularly. Focusing on your financial security is as essential as prioritizing your health.

Quit social media channels that don’t make you feel good anymore or cause jealousy, frustration, and ungratefulness. Reorganize your closet, donate old clothes and also build a good bedtime routine.

Third Week

The point of spring cleaning your life is to let go of all the negativity that ruins the quality of your life. Bitter and negative emotions are prime examples, and in the third week, you must make an action plan for letting go of stress, anger, and loneliness from within.

Just as you’re letting all the emotional junk flush out of your system, simultaneously keep clearing the junk from your drawers as well. Start focusing on healthy home food and invest more effort into meal preps for the week ahead.

When you’re eating well and feeling healthy emotionally, too, life seems to feel a lot better. In case your mind is unable to let go of its burdens, try penning your emotions down onto paper. The therapy might help.

Fourth Week

Now is the time to give your relationships an overhaul. It’s time to categorize your people into relationships you want to continue and enjoy and break out of toxic burdensome and feel like an emotional trap. If it takes reducing your circle to keep only the good ones in life, then go ahead and do it.

Also, take your exercising regime a level higher this week. Go for sweaty cardio and steam showers after, deep clean your rooms, fill free time with stimulating hobbies and improve your skincare routine. By now, you have undoubtedly saved enough to invest in non-toxic and beneficial skincare products.

Start converting some areas of your home into tech-free spaces, filling them with indoor plants and greenery instead. Spread a purifying vibe across your home this week.

Final Thoughts

With our clear and precise guide, you can spring clean your life quite effectively in just thirty days. From feeling accessible emotionally to living in a clutter-free, green home, you’ll love every aspect of your non-toxic and reorganized life.

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Health & Home Home Improvement

Converting Your Shed into a Living Space You’ll Love

convert your shed

Do you have a vacant shed taking up space in your backyard? Have you ever thought about converting it into additional living space? If so, this guide is for you!

Sheds can be converted into several types of living spaces. You can easily transform your structure into a cozy she-shed, a guest suite, or a place to work from home without any distractions. Regardless of your goals, there are a few simple steps you can take to make your shed into a comfortable space.

Install Insulation and Seal Cracks

If your shed already has electric, then you can start insulating right away. If you want to add more wiring, outlets, or any plumbing, that needs to be taken care of before you insulate. Otherwise, you’ll have to tear down your drywall and insulation!

Once that is done, you can install insulation. If you plan to spend time out there year-round, you’ll want to make sure that it is as comfortable in the heat of the summer as it is in the dead of winter. We recommend that you take the time to install insulation in all of the stud space of your shed. From there, you can cover the insulation with drywall to give a more finished appearance.

We also suggest that you go through the shed and identify any drafts or cracks. All of these should be sealed off for energy efficiency and protection from the elements. You can easily install weather strips in areas that feel drafty in cool temperatures.

Add Heating/Cooling To Your Shed

With the electric and insulation installed, you can add heating and cooling to the shed. There are several different options designed to fit a variety of budgets and needs. If you want something simple that doesn’t require a difficult installation, then a space heater or window air conditioner is a great option. If you plan to spend a lot of time in the shed, we recommend that you invest in something a little more efficient, even if it is more challenging to install.

Increase Lighting

Many backyard sheds lack adequate lighting, so you’ll want to remedy that solution by installing lights or buying table lamps. If at all possible, you should take advantage of natural light. You can do this by replacing the shed door with glass doors, installing windows, or adding a skylight. Your options are only limited by your budget and design goals!

You might want to consider adding outdoor lighting so that you can enjoy the space in the evening. You can add string lights around your garden, or you can install a porch light by the door of the shed. These lights will also help light your path if you need to go back and forth from the shed to your house in the middle of the night.

Add Furniture and Decor In Your Shed

Your shed should finally start to look like a living space with all of the basics done. The only things that should be missing are personal touches that truly transform it into a place you’ll love to hang out in. The type of furniture and décor you choose will largely depend on how you plan to utilize the space.

If you want a little home gym, you won’t need much furniture, but you’ll need plenty of equipment. A hobby shed should have ample workspace and storage for all of your craft items.   A guest room could have a futon, small café table, and a television. It’s entirely up to you and your imagination!  

Convert Your Shed Today

With so many of us spending time at home, there’s no better time to add extra living space to your property. We suggest that you start converting your shed today if you want to create a she-shed, guest house, home office, or gym. You can learn more about how to renovate your shed by researching DIY home improvement.

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Health & Home Home Improvement

Cleaning Your Home? 11 Shortcuts To Make It Easy

Cleaning Your House

Do you wish a clean home wasn’t so much work? We do too, but unfortunately, we’re still a long way from self-cleaning homes. That doesn’t mean you have to spend all of your free time on house projects, though. With these 11 shortcuts, you can be on your way to a cleaner house in no time!

1. Clean from Top to Bottom

When you clean, you don’t want to repeat steps. Therefore, you should always work from the ceiling to the floor. If you start by vacuuming, you’ll be frustrated when crumbs and dust get knocked onto it from dusting the ceiling fans or kitchen counters. That’s why we always recommend finishing your cleaning with the vacuum and mop.

2. Keep Cleaning Supplies Organized

Organization is one of the keys to a clean home. For that reason, we suggest organizing your cleaning supplies. There are a million different products, but multipurpose cleaners are often just as effective. Best of all, they reduce clutter!

We also suggest that you keep cleaning items accessible. For example, bathroom cleaners should be kept in the bathroom, while kitchen cleaning supplies should be kept in the kitchen. It’s a simple and effective organization method.

3. Clean While Things Soak

We love efficiency when cleaning the home. Some tasks take longer than others, so you should strategize your cleaning schedule accordingly. Soaking time is a great opportunity to work on other smaller projects. Cleaning your toilet is something quick and easy you can do as you wait on your shower cleaner to penetrate any soap scum or mildew.

4. Space out Your Chores

This tip goes along with the last one. We suggest that you space out your cleaning schedule so that you aren’t doing everything all at once. If you plan accordingly in a logical order, you can keep yourself from repeating steps and enjoy a clean home for longer. When you procrastinate and let everything build up, you end up feeling more frustrated on cleaning day.

5. Repurpose Your Dryer Sheets

Did you know that dryer sheets can serve multiple purposes? They are perfect for dusting blinds, baseboards, and any other surface. We think they are also great for mopping up messes because of their absorbency. Next time you do your laundry, be sure to keep your dryer sheets instead of tossing them!

6. Use Containers in Your Pantry

Pantry organizing is a great, affordable home improvement project. You can easily buy containers in different shapes and sizes to organize the goods in your pantry. The best part is that you can pick up the containers to wipe down your shelves, and if anything spills, you can remove the container and wash it.

7. Maximize Your Dishwasher Use

If the container is dishwasher safe, you can make cleaning even easier! However, your dishwasher isn’t just for your everyday plates and glasses. You can also use it to clean soap dishes, toothbrush holders, pet dishes, children’s toys, oven hood filters, and so much more.

8. Line Refrigerator Shelves with Placements

Spills and leaks inevitably occur in your refrigerator. However, you don’t have to go through the hassle of removing shelves and glass to clean them. If you line your refrigerator with plastic placements or shelf liners, you can simply pull them out and wipe them down.

9. Let Your Blender Clean Itself

Okay, so blenders aren’t completely self-cleaning, but they can do most of the work for you. All you have to do is toss some warm water and dish soap in them. Press the button and watch it clean! When it’s finished, you can rinse it out and be done with it.

10. Line Your Oven with Aluminum Foil

If you hate cleaning burnt-on food spills from your oven, you’re not alone. We hate it too, but we found a little trick to make that step a lot easier. With a layer of aluminum foil protecting the bottom of your oven, you can simply pull it out and throw it away when something spills.

11. Put a Lemon in Your Garbage Disposal  

Does your garbage disposal have a lingering odor? If so, put some lemon slices and ice in it, and switch it on! The ice helps to sharpen the blades, while the lemon cleans and freshens the disposal.

Cut Down Your Cleaning Time

Stop dreading cleaning day and start implementing some of these helpful tips and tricks. We hope that you find these shortcuts to be useful. We encourage you to do some research and see if any other house projects can make your life easier when you clean your home.

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Health & Home Home Improvement

Top 5 Ways to Heat Your Garage This Winter

5 ways to heat garages

Most of the time, you garage is merely meant to be a place for storing cars, lawn care items, and other tools, so they often lack insulation and heating ducts. As a result, you homeowners often find themselves with a workshop that is too cold to get any work done in the winter.


You don’t have to put off your hobbies and projects until the warmer months, however. If you would like to learn more about how to heat up garages, read on. We’ve come up with five things you can do to make your garage more comfortable for year-round use.

Install Insultation

Before you go out and buy the most expensive heater, you need to make sure that your garage is properly insulated. Otherwise, the warm air will continue to escape no matter how long you run the heating system. To prevent this from happening, we suggest that you insulate both your garage door and the walls.

Often times, garages are built with little to no insulations, so anything would be better than nothing. We recommend that homeowner install fiberglass batt insulation in the stud space of their garage walls. Then, you can finish the walls by adding drywall, plywood, or OSB.

Once you have your walls thoroughly insulated, you need to make sure that your door has insulation as well. This step is especially important if you have a thin metal door. You can buy a garage door insultation kit and install it yourself to see an increase of 10 degrees in your garage’s temperature this winter.

Eliminate Any Drafts

There are plenty of drafty spots in the average garage between the garage door frames and gaskets. If you have windows in your garages, that’s another problem area that you will need to handle. You will need to invest in weather-strip seals and shrink film window insulation. When you do, you will thoroughly seal off all of the drafts leaking cold air into your garage. All of these steps are easy enough to DIY, but they will make a huge difference.

Heat the Garage Floor

Once you finally have your garage well-insulated and sealed-off, you can finally start to install some heating products. Since hot air rises, it’s a good idea to start from the floor. Radiant heat can make a huge difference, but it can only be installed before you pour your concrete. Therefore, this isn’t a simple and affordable solution. If you already have a completed garage, you’ll have to tear out your existing floor and install a new one.

Homeowners who are willing to make the investment can expect a huge improvement in the comfort of their garage. Not only does the radiant heating help keep your floors warm, but it also heats the entire garage without blowing any dust and debris around. Mechanics will especially appreciate the radiant heat because they will no longer have to lay down on the cold cement floor.

Add a Ductless Heater

If you’re renovating an existing garage, you don’t have to rip the flooring up to install heat. In fact, you don’t have to install any intricate ductwork or elaborate heating systems to get good results. A well-insulated garage should be easy to heat with a ductless heating and cooling system. These systems are much easier to install, and they are a very efficient option, which is good news for your wallet!

Space Heaters

Lastly, we suggest a portable space heater as a simple and affordable alternative to the radiant floor heat and ductless heater. A space heater gives you a lot of flexibility. You can put it in your garage on days that you plan to work in your shop, or you can use it in your home on extra chilly days. A space heater is also a great way to supplement any heating system you’ve already installed in your garage.

We love space heaters because they come in a variety of sizes and prices. You can easily find a product that fits your garage’s needs and your budget. We recommend that you measure the square footage of your garage to determine which heater can most efficiently heat your space.

Make Your Garage Warmer This Winter

Are you ready to get to work? There are plenty of simple things you can do to make a huge difference in the comfort of your garage. You can follow all five of these steps, or you can pick the ones that best suit your needs. Even doing just one of the recommendations can have a huge impact! It’s up to you to decide which option best fits your skill level, garage, and budget.

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Health & Home Home Improvement

5 Home Improvement Projects to Boost Resale Value

Home Improvement Project

Are you planning to sell your starter home and want to raise its value so you can buy your dream home? Are you trying to flip a fixer upper you recently purchased as an investment? If so, keep reading for the best home improvement projects.

We have four home improvement projects for property owners looking to increase their house resale value. Whether you plan to sell immediately or sometime in the future, we are confident that the following these home improvement projects can make your home more beautiful, comfortable, and valuable.

Install Energy Efficient Products

From Houston to Milwaukee, a well-insulated home makes a huge difference in your energy bills. Therefore, many people seek out homes built with energy efficiency in mind. If your home is especially old and drafty, you need to consider replacing your doors and windows before selling your home.

If the siding has seen better days, we recommend that you upgrade the exterior as well. Not only does this increase your home’s curb appeal, but insulated siding makes your home much more comfortable inside. The same can be said for insulated roofing as well.

That’s not all!

You can also make your home more attractive and valuable with new appliances. Though some homeowners choose to take their appliances with them, many buyers love when they stay, especially if they are energy efficient. You can use this as an excuse to replace your washer, stove, or refrigerator!

Renovate Your Kitchen

Speaking of stoves, the kitchen is one of the most important rooms to many buyers. It’s the place where they prepare all their meals and bake with their children. Buyers want it to be functional and beautiful, but kitchen remodels are often too overwhelming for current owners.

You don’t have to do a total renovation, though. There are plenty of small home improvement projects you can do to upgrade your kitchen without investing too much time and energy. In fact, you can expect a great ROI from: 

  • Cabinet Refacing
  • New Fixtures
  • Backsplash Installation
  • New Counter

Install Hardwood Floors

Since carpet shows sign more wear and tear more than hardwood or tile, it quickly brings down the appearance of your home, which makes it less valuable. Many prospective buyers even look at carpet as an added expense because they know will have to replace it. As a result, they may offer less than your asking price.

On the other hand, hardwood floors hold their value for decades. Not only are they elegant and classy, but they are easy to clean. We recommend installing solid hardwood floors in particular because they are tougher and more resistant to dents and scratches. If they do happen to get some damage, however, you can easily sand and refinish them without having to install all new flooring. For all of those reasons, wood floors are very appealing to buyers.

Finish Your Basement

If you own a home in the South, you can probably skip over this step. However, basements can be a huge selling point for buyers in the Northern and Mid-Atlantic states. A finished basement can add up to $30,000 to the resale value of your home.

Why?

Homeowners love having extra square footage, especially if it is heated and livable. Though an unfinished basement still increases your home’s value, adding carpet, drywall, and trim can elevate the space. Whether you turn it into a place for guests, a man cave, or a playroom, it is sure to impress prospective buyers.

Start Increasing the Value of Your Home

If you can DIY some of these home projects, you can get an even higher return on your investment, but even with help from a professional, you can increase the value of your home. We recommend that you assess your home and budget to find the perfect projects for you. You should also speak with a realtor to find out which items are especially important to buyers in your area!