How Can You Increase The Safety And Functionality Of Your Home?

How Can You Increase The Safety And Functionality Of Your Home?What do you need to do if you want to improve the safety and functionality of your home? You may not think that your home has a lot of safety hazards, but you might be surprised at how many people get hurt at home every year. Particularly if you have older people in your home, or if you have people in your house with disabilities, you need to pay close attention to your safety and functionality. What are a few tips you should keep in mind? 

Target The Lights In Your Home

If you have an older home, it may have incandescent light bulbs in it. Pay attention to the lights in your home, and make sure they maximize the light in every room. If the bulbs are too dim, it may be a challenge for you to see where you are going, particularly when the sun goes down. Consider swapping out the lights for LED light bulbs. You can not only make it easier to see but also reduce your electricity bills.

Remove Trip Hazards

You should also try to remove trip hazards from your home. Falls are one of the most common reasons why people get hurt, so try to remove objects that you might trip over. For example, if you have area rugs, you may want to tuck the tassels underneath. That way, you have a much lower chance of tripping on them.

Install Grab Bars In The Bathroom

You may also want to consider installing some grab bars in the bathroom. Bathroom floors can get wet, making it easier for people to slip and fall. This is particularly true in the shower and bathroom. By installing some grab bars, you have an extra way to stabilize yourself when you are bathing. This can reduce your chances of falling and striking your head, shoulder, or hip.

Make Your Home Safer And More Functional With These Tips

From time to time, you should do a comprehensive evaluation of your home to see how you can improve your house’s safety and functionality. This can make a significant difference in the value of your home while also reducing the chances of someone falling and getting hurt. 

 

Updating Your Home: The Top Options

Update Your Home Without RenovatingIf you want to improve your quality of life while also increasing the value of your home, you might be interested in updating it. You probably want to live in a home that is well-designed, and a prospective buyer wants the same thing. Unfortunately, performing a major renovation can be time-consuming and expensive, but there are more cost-effective ways to update your home. What are a few of the top ideas?

Paint Your House

One of the first ways you can update your home is to give it a fresh paint job. If you have an older home, a fresh coat of paint can go a long way toward making your home feel younger. Furthermore, there are still homes that have very outdated color schemes, and some of them even use wallpaper. Right now, neutral colors, such as grey, are very popular among homebuyers. In addition, neutral colors are very easy to match with furniture. 

Update Your Lighting

You can also update your home by improving the lighting system. If your lights are not that strong, certain rooms might feel small and cramped. On the other hand, a room that has plenty of natural light feels much more open and welcoming. Even something as simple as swapping out your light bulbs for LED bulbs can go a long way toward making your home feel more inviting. New light bulbs might also use less electricity, which can help you save money.

Swap Out The Handles And Cabinet Pulls

The kitchen is the heart of the home, so you should consider updating this room as well. You do not need to swap out all of the appliances and cabinets. Even something as simple as updating the handles and cabinet pulls can make your house look young and fresh. For example, stainless steel, aged copper, and brushed nickel are a few of the most popular materials for cabinet and drawer pulls. 

Get A Landscaper 

Finally, you can also update your home by hiring a landscaper. You may want to start by mowing your lawn, but you can also make your home look younger and more welcoming by planting a few flowers and bushes. This is also a great way to make your home more sustainable without breaking the bank.

 

Fall Outdoor Lighting Tips

Fall Outdoor Lighting TipsMany people associate the fall months with cooler temperatures and changing colors. But another defining characteristic of fall is that the days become shorter. Yes, there’s limited daylight, as the sun rises later and sets earlier.

Noting this, it’s important to take any exterior lighting into consideration if you’re listing your home this fall. It’s important because you want your home to have a welcoming vibe to it, but with the potential for showings to occur in limited daylight, some modifications and new light installations may be necessary in order for it to stand out. What’s more is that exterior lighting can serve as a theft deterrent.

Here’s a closer look at some fall outdoor lighting tips to enhance the appeal of your home this fall:

Go Solar

Solar lighting is an effective, sustainable way to highlight the landscape of your yard, and illuminate paths and walkways. Just make sure that you’re placing solar lights in areas that receive lots of sunlight during the day so that they have plenty of energy after the sun goes down.

Border Patios, Decks

If your backyard features a patio, deck or gathering space away from the home, don’t miss an opportunity to border it with lights to better highlight said features. If your deck or patio has railing, consider stringing lights throughout it.

Here’s another neat idea: If you have a patio umbrella, consider purchasing lights that fit within it. You should be able to purchase an umbrella solar light set from your local hardware store, which does wonders in providing accent lighting for this area. Even if the umbrella isn’t staying with the house, it can still make for a nice touch.

Don’t Shine Lights On Windows

Any lights that shine on windows will only hinder your home’s appearance. That’s because they’re likely to create a glare. Make sure that any lighting that you incorporate is well balanced and only goes to help the home’s overall appearance. On a similar note, make sure that any lighting doesn’t clash with each other.

Consider Uplighting

Uplighting, or shining lights so that they are hitting your home at an upward angle, is a creative way to make your home appear larger. Additionally, uplighting can help accentuate unique architectural features. Be sure to uplight from each side of the house for the best overall look.

Light For Safety

Finally, you should also be arranging lights in a way that promotes safety on your property. For instance, if there are any steps or inclines, make sure that the areas are well lit to avoid the potential for injury.

Be sure to contact your trusted home mortgage professional if you are considering buying a new home or refinancing your current property.