One of the best joys in homeownership is making your home feel more comfortable and personalized. Many will do this by way of updates that improve the utility and aesthetics of their home.
If your aim is to improve your home’s energy efficiency or style, there are several areas you’ll want to consider. From minor tweaks to large-scale renovations, here are a few aspects of any home that can be made better with an upgrade.
1. Install a Heat Pump
One of the most significant upgrades you can do to your home, albeit expensive, is to update your heating and cooling system. Traditional HVAC systems consume copious amounts of energy and will drive up your utility bills. That’s where heat pump systems can be a great solution.
These systems provide energy-efficient heating and cooling in one unit. They work by transferring heat, not generating it from scratch. So they are way more efficient and cost-effective than furnaces and air conditioners. They can be fairly expensive to install at the onset, but the savings from not using regular HVAC will be worth it pretty much every time.
2. Enhance Your Lighting
Lighting is a big part of the overall feel of your home. Outdated fixtures can make even the most stylish room look old and tired. But beyond the looks and styles of your lighting, you ought to consider the amount of lumens you’re filling each room in your house with.
Every room serves a specific purpose, which is why the amount of lumens you need to fill each room will vary. This is especially the case if the room is painted dark or has high ceilings. You can calculate how many lumens per square foot you’ll need in a given room by measuring the total square footage of the room and multiplying it by how many foot candles are ideal for the type of room you’re trying to light.
What’s a foot-candle? Basically, it measures the brightness of light at a distance of one foot from the source. Let’s say you want to calculate the lumens needed for a living room. Living rooms usually require around 10-20 foot-candles, depending on how bright you want it. If your living room is 200 square feet and you decide on 15 foot-candles, you’d simply multiply those numbers to get 300 lumens. (200 square feet × 15 foot-candles = 3000 lumens) If you apply this formula to every room of your house, you’ll likely find opportunities to introduce more light.
3. Update Your Flooring
Flooring is another area where a small change, like pulling up some carpet, can make a significant impact. If you have old carpet, consider replacing it with hardwood, laminate, or vinyl flooring. These materials are more durable, easier to clean, and will give your home a modern look.
Believe it or not, hardwood floors weren’t all that popular after the 1940s. Many homes built after World War II would use hardwood as a subfloor, only to be covered with wall-to-wall carpeting. Modern homes today tell a different story, with many people favoring the style of hardwood floors over carpeting.
If your house was built in the 50s or 60s and has carpeting everywhere, you might want to take a peek underneath. You may find hidden hardwood waiting to be uncovered. It may need a bit of refinishing to bring it back to life, but it can be a convenient shortcut to a revitalized floor.
4. Modify or Replace Luan Paneling
Another favorite of the 50s and 60s, Luan paneling, was a budget-friendly method of covering walls. However, the style isn’t as popular today. If you still have these panels in your home, there are ways to modernize the look.
One of the simplest options is to paint over the panels. With proper preparation, including cleaning, sanding, and priming, a fresh coat of paint in a modern tone can make a room feel a lot more contemporary. Another option is covering the Luan with wallpaper or textured wall coverings to hide the seams and grain, giving your walls a whole new look.
A more involved method would be simply removing the panels altogether and installing drywall for a cleaner, updated look. This way, you can maintain the structure while bringing your home into the 21st century.
5. Try Out Smart Home Technology
Smart home gadgets are becoming more accessible and affordable and changing the way people live. For example, smart thermostats learn your daily routine, adjust the temperature for you, and help you save on your energy bills by optimizing heating and cooling. Security systems have also evolved to include cameras, motion detectors, and remote monitoring, so you can see your home from anywhere in the world.
Beyond security and climate control, smart home technology extends to lighting, speakers and appliances, all of which can be controlled with ease through smartphone apps or voice commands. It’s worth considering what features of your home can be augmented by the aid of smart tools and apps. These advancements can significantly enhance your comfort, convenience, and overall living experience.
Last Thoughts on Improving Your Home
Updating your home doesn’t have to be overwhelming, not if you take it one project at a time. All you have to decide is which projects are the most practical to start with and what will bring you the most satisfaction. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what areas to prioritize improving. From there, it’s just a matter of deciding if you’re going to hire help or do it yourself!
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