6 Simple Home Updates You Should Make

They say that a little can go a long way. This simple concept applies to most things in life, including your home. Just a few small and simple changes here and there can add up to a massive difference. Here are 6 simple home updates you should make to get the most from your home.

1. Add Low-Voltage Lighting

There are many ways to make your house look more appealing, and low-voltage lighting is a fantastic solution for adding some night-time curb appeal. By keeping walkways and dark corners of your home and garden lit up, you also improve the safety and security for your property. Lighting comes in three basic categories; uplights, downlights, and specialty lights. Get a transformer that has a light sensor or timer so that you can turn lights on and off automatically.

2. Upgrade Flooring

Have you noticed the carpet in your living room is looking worn out? If so, get rid of it and upgrade to hardwood flooring. Good hardwood flooring costs between $3 and $8 per square foot, and you can save money by installing it on your own. Clean the bedroom carpets while you’re at it.

3. Improve the Landscape

Want to improve the outdoors but aren’t sure where to start? Well, you can add some color to your home with a wooden planter box. Use the planter to pant some shrubs and bee-friendly plants and give Mother Nature a helping hand while improving the look and feel of your garden.

4. Clean Up Under the Cabinets

If you need to spruce up the floor of your sink cabinet, lay down some squares of self-adhesive vinyl tile. These tils will set you back about a dollar per square at most home centers. They give you a surface that’s super easy to wipe clean and keep looking good. If you need some extra organization in your cabinets, then give building a cabinet door storage rack a try.

5. Raise an Adjustable Entry Door Threshold

Have you noticed the big screwheads at the threshold of a newer entry door? They’re for more than just decoration. They can be used to raise or lower the narrow strip set into the threshold. If you have noticed that there’s a draft coming from under the door, here’s what you should try; when the weather turns sunny, close the curtains and turn off the lights. Lie down on the floor and look for any signs of daylight coming from under the door. It’s normal to get a sliver of light at the corners of the door, but if there is light between the threshold and the door you should raise the threshold.

6. Add Some Smart Home Technology

The future is connected, and smart devices are making their way into more and more homes. Around a third of all homes have some kind of smart device – such as Alexa or Google Home – and the number could increase to up to 60% by 2021. There are lots of uses for these smart devices, so consider picking one or two up for your house.

Small changes really can go a long way when done properly. Keep these six tips in mind the next time you want to make some changes to your home.

For more tips and tricks, check out Livable House!