Tips for a More Modern, Efficient Home

If you want to keep your home in tip top shape, you will likely have to take on some tasks from time to time. There are things you can do that can make your home feel more comfortable and not just look more pleasing. Adding some new technology can also offer savings in the long run in your utility bills. General maintenance can help make your house more energy efficient and increase your overall comfort and enjoyment of simply living in your space. 

Here are some ideas to make your home more livable and comfortable.

Update your living room

Aside from the kitchen; your family likely spends the most time in the living room. You can make small changes that can breath new life into this room. The easiest change, as we’ve discussed before; is fresh paint. Consider adding an accent wall. This can be a wall painted a color that compliments the other wall colors, or maybe try adding wallpaper. This is a hot design trend. There are endless patterns from subtle to whimsical you can add. This can truly transform the look and feel of your room.

If you want to get into a major reno- consider adding a new fireplace for those frosty winter nights. A pretty gas log and automatic starter can make a having a cozy fire every night, zero work. It’s also a great source of heat that is centralized to one room.

Declutter

The simplest and least expensive way to modernize your home and to make it feel updated and new, is to declutter. You don’t have to go minimalistic with all of your décor, but to make your home feel larger, get rid of the clutter. Stacks of magazines or newspapers need to be thrown out or boxed and taken to your attic. Fold blankets and place them in storage ottomans. If your rooms are overcrowded with furniture; consider removing pieces that are truly not necessary. This will open the room up and give an open feel that will let you breath easier.

Keep the décor simple

If your home currently feels outdated and distracting, you may want to update your décor and make it simpler. There’s really no reason to have a coffee table filled with tchotchkes these days. Maybe a couple of nice large art or travel books can be enough décor for a table. Smaller table lamps can take the place of bulky large lamps of the past. Smaller family pictures can still give a feeling of warmth and home. There’s no need for giant portraits. Just keep it simple.

Update your Wifi

There’s nothing more frustrating than having a poor internet connection. And it can feel especially important today, when many of us are working from home, or relying on the internet to complete our daily tasks. 

If you’re having trouble connecting to the wifi in your home, the first thing you should do is inspect your router for any interference. If it is too far away, for example, this may be causing your signal to be weak. If you’re still having trouble, however, it is possible that the hardware may be damaged or outdated.

In some cases, when we haven’t updated our internet providers in a while, the wifi connection in our homes can become worse for wear. Indeed, the key to a modern, well-adjusted home arguably starts with an up-to-date internet connection. To make your home more efficient, therefore, consider switching up your satellite internet providers. This could not only boost the wifi connection in your home, but make your life much easier!

Add greenery

In any décor it’s always a great idea to add living plants. There are many studies that suggest that living green plants instill a sense of calm in your living spaces. The benefits of having live plants in your home are many. They help reduce stress and relieve fatigue and literally add life to sterile spaces. Green plants can clean indoor air by the absorption of toxins and production of oxygen.  Plants can even increase creativity! If you need a boost of well-being; consider adding living plants to your décor.

Add a smart thermostat

A programmable thermostat can help make  your home more energy efficient. You can set up your HV/AC system to run at optimum capacity with a thermostat that is programed to only run when you are home. Setting your HV/AC system to a higher temperature while you’re at work so the air conditioning is not cooling an empty house is a great idea. It can be set to drop the temperature an hour before you get home so the temperature will be perfect when you walk in the door.

You can also set it to run a bit warmer at night when your family is sleeping. These subtle changes can make an impact on monthly utility bills. Every little bit helps.