If you are a very house proud person then you may be constantly looking for new ways to keep your home looking fresh. Over time if your house isn’t looked after then it can fall into a state of disrepair. This can cause levels of embarrassment especially if you regularly have people over. Looking after your home can be time consuming but it is totally worth it. Take a look below for some ideas and inspiration on how you can keep your home looking and feeling fresh.
Paint The Walls
One thing you can do to keep your home looking fresh and up to date is paint the walls. Over time, if you have light walls then you may start to notice grubby marks on them. Darker walls are less likely to show any marks but then you run the risk of your home being too dark. If you try and put time aside to paint your walls every couple of years then this gives you the chance to stay on top of them looking clean and fresh. You could paint them the exact same color or you might opt for something different. Changing the color completely is a bigger job than simply touching them up with a fresh coat.
Add Some Greenery
Next, to keep your home looking amazing you could try and add some greenery. Plants in your home can be a wonderful way of not only brightening up the place but also keeping the air clean. You can head to your local garden center or you can buy plants online if you prefer, sometimes you don’t have the time to wander around seeing what you like. Make sure that whichever plants you buy that you are not allergic to. It is also a good idea to do your research if you have any pets, for example lilies can be deadly to cats. Big plants in the corner of rooms can be very eye-catching, you just have to make sure you look after them the right way.
Get New Lighting
Is your home looking dark and dreary lately? If so, it may be due to the lighting you currently have. Changing your lighting is one way to improve this and give your home a fresh new feel. If you have recently moved into your home and the light fixtures already existed then changing these might be on your to-do list. There are many different types of lights you can get for your home and each one will create a different atmosphere. Take a look around your local lighting showroom and get an idea of what you want in your home. In the kitchen you could place either spotlights or a bar of lights. You could have a floor lamp or table lamp in your living room if you didn’t want to use a big ceiling light. However, ceiling lights can be dimmable if you change your switches over.
Declutter
When you are wanting your home to look nice each and every day then you need to keep it clutter free. A cluttered home can create a cluttered mind and cause you stress about cleaning it up. If you have a lot of stuff that you have gathered or collected over the years then it might be time to sort through it. Getting rid of your old stuff can lift a huge weight off your shoulders and you don’t even have to throw it out. If you head to each room and sort your belongings into four piles, these consist of the stuff you want to keep, throw away, donate, and sell. Giving your unwanted items away can really help others that are in need.
Deep Clean
Your home should be kept clean and tidy if you want it to stay looking nice. This can get on top of you rather quickly especially if you have a busy life. Cleaning your home could be done on a schedule if you have others to help you out. Work out which areas you are going to clean each day or week. Doing the dishes each evening after work or loading the dishwasher at the end of dinner time can save you from coming down to a messy kitchen the next day.
If you don’t have the time or energy to clean your home then you could use the help of a professional company. Get in touch and inform them of your needs, that way you can figure out if it will fit into your budget. Typically people have professional cleaners once or twice a week.
Head Outside
Once you are satisfied that the interior of your home is where you want it to be then you may need to head outside and sort the garden. There is no point having a nice home and then neglect the garden and leave it to overgrow. You will need to keep the grass looking short and neat, this can be done with a lawnmower every few weeks. If you don’t want your grass and you are wanting a low maintenance garden then you might want to invest in artificial grass.
Think about entertaining your house guests outside and holding garden parties during the warmer months. Invest in some decking or make a patio then add some furniture where everyone can sit. A gazebo with some fairy lights is always a lovely thing to add to your garden.
New Windows & Doors
With winter fast approaching it might be time to switch your windows and doors for new ones. Over time, your windows and doors can weaken. This means they can have tiny cracks or holes that will let the cold air in. with your heating on and the cracks in your window, it will end up costing you a lot more to heat your home and keep it warm. There will be junk mail coming through your door, usually advertising your local window firm. Get in touch with them and see what they can offer you. Usually if you do your whole house there will be a great discount. It might also be helpful to install solar panels on your roof, this keeps your home current. You can expect to save around half on your annual energy bills if you do this. New windows and doors will make your home look brighter and fresher as well so that’s always a bonus.
Pest Control
Lastly, if you notice any little pests in and around your home then it is important you find the root cause before they decide to stick around. There is no break in bugs, in the summer you could have wasps or bees and in winter it could be spiders or other insects. There are particular homes that may be more susceptible to bugs and pests coming in, those situated near farms or fields for instance. Get in touch with your local pest control if you have tried everything and nothing is working.
We hope you found this article helpful and that it gave you some ideas and insight into how you can manage your home so it stays fresh. Carry on being a house proud person and your home will thank you for it. Remember, if you ever want to sell your home then it will need to be in good condition for that. A tidy home that has been well looked after can add a significant amount onto the asking price. Something else to bear in mind is that Rome wasn’t built in a day so take your time and work through your to-do list.
