Spring and even summer are the perfect times to head outside for your home improvements. After spring cleaning,there are certain home improvements that are necessary, especially to increase the value of your home. Whether you just want to freshen up your home, get it ready to be sold, or improve your home space, upgrades will help breathe new life into your lifestyle and home while adding value. To help you get a start on your home improvements, here are some home improvement projects that you should do before the holidays.
Fix Kitchen Appliances
Food is a key element of all holiday celebrations, so having your kitchen appliances in working order is a must for the holiday season. You wouldn’t want your oven to only turn on only halfway through cooking your Christmas roast.
After spring cleaning your kitchen, you should inspect whether your stove top burner is working properly and your oven is as hot as it should be. Or perhaps your fridge is slightly warmer on the inside? If so, call a repair professional. They will be able to inspect and perform the repairs so you’re ready to cook and store food for your family.
Countertops
Your kitchen counters are used every day, this means that they endure a lot of wear, tear, and spillage throughout the year. For stone or granite countertops, protect them from spills by finding out if they can be sealed, particularly if you have used abrasive cleaners that can strip away the coating or sealant.
Read the manufacturer’s instructions to find out how often you should seal the countertops.
Cabinets
Cabinets set the tone of the kitchen. A fresh coat of paint, new hardware, or new cabinets altogether, can bring life back into your kitchen in time for the holidays. You may want to hire a professional to do the job to ensure it’s done correctly and looks as good as new in time for your Christmas dinner.
Spruce Up The Garden
We spend most of the warm holiday time outdoors to enjoy the weather, and it’s something that a potential buyer will take notice of.
If you’re not a born gardener, you can make a start by getting rid of overgrown or dead plants, cutting back your scrubs and tree branches, and trimming the edges of the flower beds.
If you need help in the garden, you can depend on the SweepSouth Outdoor team to handle all of your gardening challenges.
Clean Or Add A Patio
A home with a patio will allow you to enjoy spending time outside, and it will be impressive to home buyers as it creates the illusion of a larger property.
Use a pressure washer to clean your walls and exterior; having the exterior pressure washed can make an old paint job look new. It removes grime that has been building throughout the year. A pressure washer can also help to eliminate mould and mildew from your exterior.
Freshen Up The Curb
A lot of people don’t realise the importance of curb appeal and the value it adds to their property. This can be easily achieved by taking care of vegetation and mowing the lawn, clearing the cracks between the driveway paving, and refreshing gravelled areas.
Outdoor Cooking Area
Depending on whether you’re feeling ambitious or not, and you love the South African national pastime, you may want to consider taking the kitchen outdoors. You can prepare meals and be surrounded by your guests with minimal time spent running to and from for plates indoors, etc.
The internet has many inspiring ideas, from lavish to basic. If your budget is on the modest side, you can spruce up your built-in braai area, or build a basic outdoor structure, like a bar. Incorporate more materials like stone or brick for a more natural feeling.
Build An Outdoor Fire Pit
This is a great project for those who enjoy spending time outdoors in the summer evenings and are looking to keep their home projects to a minimum. The options are to buy an antique or salvaged fire pit, buy a freestanding fire pit, or build a new one. This is a cost-efficient project and is also ideal for entertaining guests outdoors during summer.
Build A Shed
If your garage and house are overflowing with clutter and storage boxes, then a shed may be the best holiday project for you. The summer months are a good time to add some extra storage space to your backyard, and it will be appreciated by the next owner of the house.
Install Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lighting is a great and easy way to increase your property value because it shows you care about safety, and buyers will see there’s no reason for them to worry too much if they’re away from home. Outdoor lighting also adds a certain ambience and makes summer nights outdoors more pleasant.
Bathroom Caulk
Bathrooms are high on the priority list when viewing a property; stained or cracked sealant will be off-putting for most buyers and guests. Fortunately, caulk is cheap and relatively easy to apply. All you need is a couple of hours, a few common tools, and materials that can be found at any hardware store.
Insulate And Seal Windows
The colder weather means cold drafts from old windows, caulk failure, or poor insulation could cause discomfort. Windows should also be cleaned so that you can see through them easily. Getting your home’s energy efficiency inspected by a professional can help locate where repairs need to be done.
For instance, an insulation contractor can replace or bulk on insulation in your attic. A caulking specialist can seal up cracks in the caulking around the windows. And, you may also want to consider upgrading your windows to a more energy-efficient style to keep your house warm and comfortable all year round. For example, windows with wooden and fibreglass frames are good options for insulation.
Deep Clean Your Carpet
Deep cleaning your carpets or having a professional carpet cleaner will make your carpets look new. A deep clean can remove dust and stains that regular vacuuming can’t. It also helps extend the life of your carpet by removing debris that can cause deterioration over time.
During the warmer months, pollen and airborne pollutants end up in your home and attach themselves to the carpets. As soon as cold weather arrives, we seal up everything, which traps unhealthy contaminants inside your home. Having a pro clean your carpet can help completely remove those harmful allergens.
Upgrade Light Fixtures
Lighting changes the look of any room instantly and gives your space a new feel. A chandelier, dome lights, dimmer switches, and track lighting are just a few improvements you may want to add to your home. A qualified electrician can efficiently upgrade your wiring and install the new lights you desire.
Add A Fresh Coat Of Paint
A fresh coat of paint brightens up a room. You could choose a festive colour to freshen up what you already have. The entryway gets the most traffic and inevitably the most scuffs on the walls. Giving your walls a clean and quick paint job will make your home more welcoming. Your family will probably spend the most time in the kitchen, dining room, and living room, so these are the areas that should get a new fresh look.
With the year slowly coming to an end and the holidays approaching, you have something to look forward to. You may want to take the time to look for a professional to help you achieve the best results on some projects and essential tasks. Upgrade your paint, switch out the lights, and do whatever you feel is required to keep you and your family happy, comfortable, and safe these holidays.
For more cleaning tips and guides for your home, like spring cleaning, head over to our blog for more insightful articles.
