Home Improvements That Won’t Affect Your Homeowner’s Insurance

If you’re planning to put your home on the market any time soon or if it just feels a little tired and dated, relax. There are plenty of simple fixes you can use to bring it back to life again. Better yet, if you’re on a budget and worried about raising your homeowner’s insurance premium, then know that you don’t have to break the bank to get your house in shape. Lots of inexpensive and insurance-friendly DIY projects can transform your spaces from plain to something truly special. Here’s a look at budget-friendly home improvement projects that won’t affect your homeowner’s insurance.

Brighten the Kitchen

Kitchen spaces often become tired and dated in a short amount of time. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to make them fun and useful again. The first thing you can do is strip your cabinet doors and windows down from the wall. Then, sand them. After that, you can paint them bright colors for a special zing. Add in an expensive backsplash that protects your walls, and you have a whole new look for less than a grand.

Improved Appliances

Another relatively inexpensive way to improve your home is with new appliances. Saving on appliances is easier than ever and getting a matching group of them gives your kitchen a unified look. Look for appliances that go with the overall theme of your home. For example, if your aim is sleek and modern, find ones that are stainless steel that fit right in. Better yet, modern appliances use less energy. Updated appliances can help reduce your utility bills.

Replacing appliances isn’t the only way to improve their function to save you money. ExpertRepairs cites that appliance repairs are usually a minor fix, therefore, you should think twice before immediately assuming that your appliance needs to be replaced. Taking this caution could help you save hundreds in the long run.

Install a Ceiling Fan

Heating and cooling a home can add thousands of dollars in utility costs each year. One way to help head off these costs at the pass is by installing ceiling fans. Ceiling fans are decorative and elegant. They’re also an ideal way to circulate air. They’ll reduce the need to crank up the air conditioner during the summer and help bring warm air to the entire home during the winter. Place several in your home including in the living room, kitchen and each bedroom.

Paint Those Walls

Paint is easy to use and looks great. Take any indoor room and paint it for an improved look. If you’ve never painted before, it’s easier than you might think. All you need is some basic equipment such as a paintbrush and some paint in the colors you like best. Lay down painter’s tape on your window sills so paint won’t drip on them, place a tarp on your delicate items and you’re ready to begin. You can also give the exterior of your house a facelift with some new paint as well. Make sure it won’t rain for a few days before you start.

Redo Your Wood Flooring

While wood floors look fabulous and feel great under your feet, as time goes on, they can look dull and boring. Fortunately, wood floors are easy to bring into style again. One of the best ways to make your floors look good is with a paint job. Create a pattern on the floors with painting tape. Checkerboard patterns look great in two contrasting colors. Pair black and white for a classic look in the foyer or the family room; consider pink and blue in a child’s room.

Use a Water Filter

In any given year, every household uses many gallons of water for cooking and drinking. Improve the quality of your water with a water filter. Water filters can be installed underneath the sink. Many can remove unwanted impurities so the water quality is as good as anything you’ll find in a bottle. You’ll save money, and you’ll get better water quality at the same time.

Revive the Deck

Decks are some of the most useful spaces in your home. They provide a protected area where people can gather in pleasant weather. If yours has been battered with years of use, a few hours of work can yield impressive results. Start with a power wash. This will remove any layers of dirt that have accumulated over the years. Follow that by hand scrubbing any remaining dirt. Brush on a coat of stain and let dry. The process will add years to the deck and make it look like a true extension of the rest of your home.

These few changes are easy to implement over time. They don’t take a lot of effort or lots of money. Set aside the time you need to make the changes you want to your home. A few hours of work can make your home shine again from the basement to the attic.