5 Subtle Yet Powerful Ways To Update Your Home

 

 

 

 

Now that the holidays are over, many homeowners have a clearer picture of what their financial situation is going to be heading into 2023. If major expenditures on vacations, car purchases, or home renovation are on the horizon for your family this year, now is the time to get high-level action items on paper so you can start to bring your home renovation visions to life. 

Home renovation is always a big topic for families to focus on in the earliest part of the year. However, if major renovations like a new roof or swimming pool are not in the cards this year, what can you do within your budgetary limitations to still improve your home’s resale value and your enjoyment of the property? Depending on your goals, there are countless ways that you can update your home to make it more comfortable, cost-effective and appealing to the eye. In fact, your biggest challenge might be figuring out where to start.

Let’s take a look at six less expensive and subtle home improvement projects you might consider for your home in 2023.

Modernise Your HVAC System

Experts agree that if your HVAC system is within 10 to 15 years old, it’s time to consider upgrades or outright replacements, such as changing your outdated evaporative changeover cooling system to a more modern ducted HVAC system to bring your system up to date with the current technology on the market. Perhaps you’ve noticed increased energy bills or reduced heating/cooling throughput from the existing ductwork in your home. If the system emits strange odours or the motor sounds like it’s strained and working too hard, bring in a trusted local HVAC expert to give your system a complete overhaul.

From the intakes and vents, the compressor, all the way to the master computer controlling everything, modern HVAC units are getting smarter by the day, allowing those who’ve already upgraded to reap the benefits of lower energy bills and a more comfortable indoor climate.

While this is less of a budget update to your home, it will pay for itself in no time making it a wise investment for homeowners looking to add value to their property.

Upgrade Lighting to LED

Did you know that your interior lights can account for as much as 85% of your total monthly energy bills? In addition, older incandescent lights will eventually need replacement, as we’ve all at one time or another when the bulb suddenly goes “Pop!” and darkness ensues. Energy experts agree that switching to LED is an intelligent upgrade for your home.

The typical 60-watt bulb that just burnt out on you costs around $5.00 annually, in comparison to LED’s annual hit of only $1.00 while providing improved lighting performance. Multiply that by every bulb in your home, and you’ll recognize significant savings, especially if you’re already using higher-watt bulbs like 80 or 100 watts.

New Water Fixtures

If you’re still running the original faucets that were installed in your home, time to consider upgrading. Many old fixtures have ratings of close to 3 gallons per minute (GMP) making them very inefficient.  Upgrading an old dripping fixture to a modern fixture can save you as much as 2 GMP. Think of the annual savings on water usage you stand to enjoy from this very simple upgrade and you’ll soon see why it is worthwhile. What’s more, your new fixtures will also look much better, and you’ll have a big selection of stylish designs to choose from to create a bathroom space you can be proud of.

New Door Knobs and Cabinet Hardware

Upgrading to new water fixtures might present a new problem, that being a styling mismatch with the existing door knobs and cabinet handles. So, why not spend just a little bit extra to sync up the stylistic appearance of everything all at once? Many interior design manufacturers produce these items as a whole design theme working in tandem to make a consistent interior design statement, whether it’s art deco or postmodern, or somewhere in between. Whatever you choose, you can be sure that the finished product will look much better with one consistent feel throughout the kitchen and bathrooms presented in a style of your choosing.

Upgraded Your Flooring

Another tangible update to consider is the flooring in your home. Your floors serve as the foundation of your interior that is ever-present. Everyone sees it and interacts with it, much like water fixtures so it is important that you take the necessary steps to make your floors shine. 

If the floor is cracked, peeling, and outdated in terms of style, you’ll want to invest in an update. You will have a myriad of directions you can go when updating your floors, and you’ll want to consider the use case for each room before deciding on materials. This is a solid upgrade that you can do yourself if you’d like, but be sure to consult with professionals if you plan to do hardwood or tiles, as there are best practices to be aware of.

Make Big Improvements, Even With A Small Budget

Regardless of what kind of home renovation budget you have to work with, you can make big changes to your property this year. Take the time to consider the needs of you and your family, how you utilise the space on a daily basis and what your style choices are. With all of this taken into account and a clear budget set in place, you can start planning upgrades that will ensure you get the very most from your home renovation efforts.