We all start off the new year with such high hopes for ourselves. There are resolutions for going to the gym or joining a club or eating vegetables more often. But what about when it comes to your home? You spend most of your year there, and that has especially been the case since the pandemic hit. Over time, your house starts deteriorating because of that everyday use. Maybe you’ve been noticing as much with your bathroom or kitchen. If you kick off January by organizing a plan for executing Austin renovations, you will be on track to making your Texas home the perfect fit for your upgraded lifestyle. Here is a list of renovation projects you may want to consider.
Become More Energy Efficient
Aside from recycling and watering your lawn less, there are so many ways to be more environmentally responsible with Austin renovations. For example, you can reduce your carbon footprint by using LED light bulbs. According to the Department of Energy, they use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs. Not only that, but they last for up to 25 times longer, meaning you won’t have to purchase them as frequently. Consider talking to your contractor about allowing more light with window replacements, as well. Use windows with the Energy Star label and that are made for your home’s climate zone to obtain optimal insulation. You can also cut down your energy usage by sealing and insulating your ductwork. This will extend the life of your furnace, heat pump, and air conditioning unit.
Increase Your Home’s Safety
No one wants to live in fear of chronic respiratory problems. Make sure that your indoor air is not full of contaminants like mold spores, dust, and pollen. To help with this, regularly change out your HVAC filters, anywhere between one to three months. You should also schedule an HVAC system tune-up to get the unit running as efficiently as possible. Other things to check for are carbon monoxide and radon. Install carbon monoxide detectors on every bedroom floor, and go to your local hardware store to purchase a radon testing kit. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has found that radon causes several thousand lung cancer deaths each year, with one in 15 homes having elevated levels. Don’t let safety get away from your Austin renovations in the new year.
Upgrade the Look of Your Bedroom
Have you been considering brightening things up in your bedroom but haven’t had the chance? This is your sign to get started! You don’t have to spend lots of money to renovate your bedroom. First, choose no-VOC paint for your walls. VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, can cause skin and eye irritation, on top of other deeper physical problems. Although paints, in general, are less toxic than they once were, many of them still release VOCs, so you should look for this safer alternative. Once you have determined the perfect shade, show off your style through decorations. Upgrade with cozier bedding and strategic lighting, and add greenery for more pops of color. Don’t forget about inspecting your floors, too. Have your carpets cleaned so that you can truly start fresh in your personal space.
Boost Curb Appeal
Your house should look as beautiful outside as it does inside. The new year is all about the new you, so you should make a good first impression on your visitors and neighbors. There are several low-cost upgrades that will boost your curb appeal in little time. Investing in landscaping is a big one, whether you are going full-out on your own or are hiring a professional. Mow the lawn and put down some new plants that are native to your landscape. You may also decide to make use of the great Austin weather by setting up outdoor furniture to lounge around on. Consider decorating your front porch with a swing or comfy chairs so that you can soak up some Vitamin D.
Inspect the Exterior of Your House
When we experienced the unexpected snowstorm last year, there was good reason to get involved in Austin renovations. There were many homes that were affected outside of just the issue of not having power due to the grid failure. One of these issues was the frozen pipes. At all points in the year, but especially after a massive drop in temperature, you should check that your exterior pipes haven’t burst, or else there could be serious plumbing issues. Another thing to check up on is the damage to your roof. If there are openings in the roof, your attic could be experiencing leakage. These leaks could impact your flooring and insulation. Should you locate loose or missing shingles, call in an expert for a consultation.
Declutter and Embrace Organization
Spring cleaning doesn’t just have to happen in the spring. You can revitalize your Texas home with Austin renovations any day of the year. Don’t feel discouraged if you have a very busy schedule. If you have the chance to perform a deep clean, great! If you can periodically declutter, that’s great, too! We all experience pushbacks on our New Year’s resolutions from our daily lives, but your house will thank you for every room you are able to organize. Target specific areas, such as your closet, where you can review your wardrobe to see what you want to keep, donate, or throw out. Make sure that you are also cleaning up any of the irritants in the air and on surfaces that could cause allergies. By working out a system for maintaining your home, you will be able to live in a healthier, happier environment.
It’s time to bring more value to your home, both from a return on investment perspective and your own personal preferences. Whether you are knocking several things out at once or spacing them out over the course of the year, we want to hear from you in 2022! With the typically sunny weather of Texas, Bat City Builders believes that there is no wrong time to start a project. Contact us today to learn more about how we can work alongside you in any of your New Year’s Austin renovations.
Photos, in order of appearance, by:
- Anastasia Shuraeva on Pexels
- Blue Bird on Pexels
- Moses Janga on Unsplash