Do you ever look at your home and feel overwhelmed at how much you need to do to get it to look and feel the way you want? Maybe the décor isn’t appealing, there is an array of clutter everywhere, or your bills are rapidly increasing, and you don’t feel that your home is as energy efficient as it should be.
If this sounds familiar, then your home and home life could probably do with a bit of an overhaul. Having a big family can make it a lot harder, but making a few changes here and there can help turn things around.
Here are 6 fabulous ways to make your home more appealing, organized, and energy-efficient.
Declutter every room
Over the years, we accumulate so much stuff that it’s easy to lose sight of what we need and like. If things are getting on top of you, one of the first things you should do is declutter your whole house.
Dealing with one room at a time, go through all of your belongings and put aside anything you don’t use, wear, or want. Have your family members do the same thing until every room is complete. The less you have, the easier it will be to keep on top of things.
Are your windows performing well?
If your windows are old, rotten, or just not performing as they should, they may be allowing lots of cold air into your home and lots of warm air out. It may increase your energy bills, and it isn’t great for the planet either, so you should look to have your windows fixed or replaced. There are many types of windows to choose from, so you need to research which is best for your home and budget.
UPVC is a good option if you have limited funds, and you can’t go wrong with the traditional look of wood frames. If, however, you are looking for an aesthetically pleasing eco-friendly alternative, then an aluminum window installation might be a perfect choice. Aluminum windows can reduce heat loss and improve heat gain by as much as 60% in some cases, so it’s an option you should seriously consider.
Organize things the night before
If mornings in your home are nothing short of chaos, you need to consider making some changes and adopting a better routine. Look out clothes, shoes, and jackets for yourself and your kids the night before and pack any non-perishable lunch items in advance.
Breakfast time should set you up for the day and should be calm and relaxing. If yours feels chaotic and rushed, you might find your stress levels hit the roof before your day even begins! Get up a bit earlier if need be – it will help make your mornings more relaxing and enjoyable. If your children are old enough to do things by themselves, let them know what you expect them to do and by what time. If there are rules in place, they will be more likely to follow them, which should help to create a drama-free morning.
Don’t waste electricity
Replacement windows aren’t the only way to make your home more energy-efficient. One of the simplest things you can do is adopt a switch-off policy throughout your home. A large family usually equates to many mobile phones, tablets, and other electronic devices that need charging regularly. The cost of this can rack up, but making sure that sockets are switched off when not in use and devices aren’t being charged unnecessarily could make a big difference to the amount of electricity you use each day. Similarly, things like televisions, lights, kettles, and other kitchen appliances should all be switched off when not in use. It may take a while to get used to, but once you have done it for a few weeks, it will become second nature.
If you aren’t sure which items are using the most electricity, you may want to think about having a smart meter installed. Many of them will provide an at-a-glance breakdown of your energy use and make it easier to see where savings can be made.
Change your décor
If you can’t remember the last time you applied a fresh coat of paint to any part of your home, now may be a good time to freshen things up. It can instantly make your home more appealing and make it feel like a brand-new space. If your rooms are small, neutral colors will help to create a light and airy feel. If they are a decent size, you can play around with more vibrant colors or even add a feature wall. Lighting is another fabulous way to change the ambiance of a room, so have a look online for options that would suit your style and tastes.
Choosing the right accessories can make a big impact on a room, but if you aren’t sure where to start, there are loads of ideas on the likes of Pinterest and Instagram, or why not pick up a few interior design magazines and create a mood board for each room. Play around with colors and textures and have fun with them.
Be creative with storage
Good storage will help you become more organized and ensure that everything has a place of its own. When you don’t have enough storage, clutter can start to form again, and before you know it, your once organized home is back to being chaotic. If you don’t have a lot of space, don’t panic – there are still many things you can do to create additional space.
Shelving is a brilliant idea as instead of taking up valuable floor space, you can use your wall space instead. Ottoman beds are a great way to create more storage, and many items like coffee tables, television cabinets, and footstools come with hidden areas to keep things in. Regardless of how small your home is, there are ways to get creative with storage.