Whether you’re moving into a new home or just looking to spruce up your current one, shopping for furniture and appliances can be a fun, but occasionally stressful experience. You may be caught up in thinking about budget, or move-in dates, or even accommodating the space for certain things. Take a deep breath, and take a look at some advice when it comes to making your home your own.
Heat & Air Conditioning
Your home’s interior can be absolutely stunning, but what’s it worth when you’re getting stuck to the couch in the summer or shivering in the winter? Having a heating system that’s ready to take on the cold is a necessity. If your home doesn’t currently have an HVAC system, you should consider it a sound investment for the long run. This will be able to allow you to keep your home warm and toasty through winter storms while cooling it down during a blistering heatwave.
HVAC systems are also sound investments as these units, if well-maintained, can last for decades. You’ll also be able to assess any issues with the HVAC unit with some immediacy. For example, if you notice that the temperature on the thermostat is not matching up with that of your home, there could be clogs in the ducts brought on by dust and other allergens. Your home’s energy bill is the barometer to determine whether too much is being expended by the heating system.
Energy Star Appliances
There are several appliances that can be installed throughout your home that can run up your energy bill just by staying plugged in. That’s where Energy Star appliances can help you save on your monthly utility bill. Energy Star is a program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy that promotes energy efficiency.
The program provides information on the energy consumption of products and devices using different standardized methods. In addition to monthly savings, you can acquire some rebates for installing things like Energy Star refrigerators, air conditioners, and other assets to your household.
Meeting Your Needs
When shopping for home furnishings, assess your needs. The best thing to do is to budget just what you’re willing to spend, and then keep in mind what needs to be added or replaced. If there are certain elements of your household that are fairly new, like a couch or mattress, put that on the backburner to get rid of or replace.
One thing that could lead to some adjustment in your plans is a newcomer to the household. Be it a newborn or a relative moving in, you’ll need to make accommodations to a bedroom. As a homeowner, you may want to also assess the possibility of making certain rooms multi-purpose, like a guest room combined with a home office.
The Little Touches
Home decor is all about adding your own unique touches. Whether it’s an extra blanket on the couch or specific lamps by the bedside, it’s all about making your own choices to show your taste. You could consider metal prints from photos to create an attractive canvas that covers a sizable amount of wall space. Metal prints are durable, light-weight, long-lasting, and specially coated to deliver exceptional detail, sharp resolution, and vivid color.
It’s a good idea to consider the natural light offered by a room. This could require the installation of curtains to keep the heat out during those warm summer days. You’ll also want to avoid anything too bright and illuminating in restful rooms. Consider dimmer switches in bedrooms to turn down the lights accordingly. From clocks to a bay photo, there is so much you can do to add those touches and make your home your own.
