Getting the Healthy Home of Your Dreams by Making Positive Changes

Prioritizing the health of your home is usually a wise move. It allows you to improve your lifestyle, leading to positive changes that impact every aspect of your life.

Figuring out how to get the healthy home of your dreams may not seem easy at first. However, even small adjustments can make a big difference. If you aren’t sure where to begin, House to Home Organizing offers some options to explore. 

Picking the Right Improvements If You’re in Your Forever Home

If you’re currently living in your forever home, you want to approach any updates with the long-term in mind. By seizing opportunities to simplify daily life, reduce stress, and support better health, you’ll have more success now and into the future.

For a simple way to get started, focus on decluttering. Cutter can increase stress and anxiety, so using a strategy like the KonMari Method can be a smart move. Not only will your home get easier to manage, but you’ll also end up spending less time cleaning when there’s less stuff, too.

Improving your air quality is also an intelligent option. By hiring a professional to install UV solutions into your HVAC or going the DIY route and replacing your air filters with versions with higher MERV ratings, you can prevent germs, pollen, and other contaminants from circulating through your house.

Another excellent project for a forever home is updating your kitchen to make the layout more functional. When your kitchen is easy to navigate, you may be more inclined to create nutritious, healthy meals at home. Since this is a bigger project, you’ll need to hire a plumber somewhere in the $45 to $150 per hour range. Always check reviews, examine ratings, and confirm that they’re licensed and insured before hiring. That way, you can rely on the quality of the work.

Updates You’ll Want to Tackle If You’re Selling Your House Soon

For homeowners preparing to sell, you want to think about what will make buyers happy. That way, your updates increase the value of your home and could help you complete the sale faster.

For inexpensive projects, consider quick bathroom repairs or easy kitchen updates. Replacing a leaky faucet or replacing cracked tile can ensure buyers won’t get turned off by issues they can easily spot. By adding a new tile backsplash and updating doorknobs and handles, you can refresh the look of a space and align it with current trends.

If you have a bigger budget, then certain higher-cost updates may be worth considering. Going with exterior modifications like a new porch or deck might be worthwhile, allowing you to kick your curb appeal up a notch and add more usable space. Updating your flooring is also a possibility. You can go with a hypogenic option to improve the health of your home, all while refreshing the overall look.

Where to Find the Money for Making Positive Changes to Your Home

Home updates can run the gamut when it comes to price. If you don’t have the cash to cover the projects, you do have options.

Of course, you’re probably wondering how to refinance your home. With cash-out refinancing, you can replace your current loan with a new one with a higher balance. Then, you’ll get to receive the difference between the two mortgages as cash, giving you money to use for your improvements.

Usually, cash-out refinancing has a lower interest rate than a personal loan. Plus, since it’s an installment loan and not revolving, it’s easier to budget and plan than a HELOC. You’ll know exactly when you’ll have the loan paid off, giving you more peace of mind than revolving credit alternatives.

How To Turn Your Home Into a Staycation Resort

While traveling isn’t possible during the pandemic, you can still find ways to get away. Here’s how to turn your home into a staycation resort.

The pandemic has kept everyone cooped up in their homes for months on end, so it’s possible your home now feels a bit more like a prison than a place to relax. Luckily, we can show you how to turn your home into a staycation resort to keep you feeling refreshed and comfortable.

Creating an Outdoor Space

Look toward your backyard as your canvas. This space is perfect for enjoying the outdoors the way you want to. As the temperature cools off and the winter months creep up on us, consider installing a fire pit and some chairs to get cozy with friends. If you have kids, you can even bring them out to make some s’mores. For those with a green thumb, taking the time to do some gardening and landscaping can add a pleasant and creative touch. A garden sofa is perfect for a nap to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Backyard Studios

A backyard studio will make you feel like you’re on a real getaway. These studios have been growing in popularity. “She sheds” provide a small, personal space dedicated to your hobbies and interests. It’s the counterpart to “man caves,” but it doesn’t take up space in your home, and you can completely separate it from the responsibilities and stresses of the house. It’s a worthwhile investment if you want a space that you can call your own. It’s a great way to turn your home into a staycation resort by providing a peaceful relaxation area.

Improve the Atmosphere

Changing the atmosphere may seem small, but it can do wonders for helping you improve your mood and change your perspective. Simple things like incense and scented candles can change up the smell of your home. Scents that you associate with the beach or forest will put you in the vacation mood. You can also spoil yourself with something like a fancy bath with all the works, creating a spa-like atmosphere for you to enjoy.

5 Ways To Improve Your Home Ownership Experience

Whether you are considering buying a home for the first time or an old pro, there are always new ways you can find to make your home ownership experience a happier one. 

As you already know, there are many different things that go into owning a home and it can be overwhelming and expensive. Here are a few tips that I have found to make owning a home more fun and less stressful. 

Offsetting Your Mortgage 

If you’ve been good about saving money, you may want to consider an offset loan. An offset loan blends a traditional mortgage with other savings accounts. These types of loans have much lower interest rates than traditional loans, which will end up saving you thousands of dollars. Be aware though that offset loans are not currently available in The United States. 

DIY Renovations

Although you shouldn’t attempt to do all types of renovations yourself, there are a lot of things you can do to increase the value of your home without hiring a professional. 

Painting a room or even just one accent wall can brighten things up and make a room look bigger. Gardening or doing other yard projects can also help to not only make your home a more enjoyable place to be, but also make it worth more in case you ever decide to sell. 

Don’t Ignore Maintenance 

If you were ever a renter in the past you know that when renting a home or apartment, the owner of the building is responsible for paying for maintenance and repairs. It’s nice to be able to call someone whenever something breaks and not shell anything out of your own wallet. 

But as an owner, you have to take care of these sorts of matters yourself. It’s important not to ignore maintenance on your home. What if your locks have damages? You’ll never know until you inspect them or it's completely broken. If you have the professional locksmith tools at home, now’s a great time to use them. Spend the money now before it gets worse and ends up costing you much more. Also, whenever you have improvements made on your home, keep the receipts! 

Stay Organized 

This goes for not just inside your home and garage, but also with all of your paperwork. Owning a home involves many different forms and signatures and it is smart to keep all of these organized and in a place where you can easily access them if needed for reference. 

Get Insured

Make sure you have good homeowners insurance from the moment you move in. It’s worth spending extra money on a good plan because if you ever end up having to use it you’ll be very glad you have it. 

Home ownership is an exciting endeavor and you should be proud of yourself for making it happen! Follow the above advice to make it an even more pleasant experience. 

Guest Post - 50 Tricks for Organizing Your Home

You know what they say: clear home, clear mind. And as cliché as it sounds, if you’ve ever tried to be productive or creative in a space that’s cluttered or messy, you know that it can be quite the challenge! Luckily, organizing your home isn’t as hard as it may seem. It just comes down to two important things: (1) implementing a strategy and (2) maintaining it for the long-run. Here are some of our best home organization tips to keep your space — and mind — in a permanent state of blissfully well-organized clarity.

Kitchen

Why is it that the kitchen seems to get so cluttered so fast? Simple things like rethinking your cabinetry and investing in a label maker for the pantry can seriously enhance the functionality of everyone’s favorite room in the house. 

1. Upgrade to quality cabinets and include a new pantry.

2. Use pot lid racks to keep the lids of pots, pans and Tupperware neatly organized.

3. Use silicone pan separators to stack pots and pans without scratching the surface.

4. Add under-shelf wine glass holders to hang wine glasses and save space.

5. Line your cabinets and drawers with easy-clean liners to protect the interior.

6. Add mini shelves within your cabinets to double-up on space for cups and bowls.

7. Install a pot rack and hang pots, pans, utensils and potholders from hooks to free up space.

8. Transfer dry goods from their packaging to clearly labeled canisters.

9. Invest in a label maker and label everything, including storage bins and canisters.

10. Use drawer dividers to neaten up junk and utensil drawers.

11. Install shelves on the inside of cabinet doors for spices, oils and canned goods.

12. Install small shelves in the corners of the walls or cabinets for more storage.

13. Install a pull-out drawer beneath the sink to easily access cleaning supplies in the back.

14. Mount your paper towel dispenser to clear up countertop space.

15. Keep the appliances you don’t use every day (such as the toaster) stored in a cabinet.

16. Use lazy Susans to maximize reachable space in the pantry and cabinets.

Living Room

It’s so hard to relax when it feels like your space is cluttered or dirty. But the whole purpose of the living room is to help you unwind and decompress. Luckily, there are a few simple things you can do to keep the living room organized in order to optimize your chill time.

1. Turn empty space behind the couch or entertainment center into storage space.

2. Mount all electronics, including TVs and speakers, onto the wall and off the floor.

3. Hang shelving on the walls for your books, candles and décor.

4. Use a slim console unit behind the couch for more storage space.

5. Invest in storage ottomans that can hold blankets, remotes, books, etc.

6. Place a tray on top of a larger ottoman to make it double as a coffee table.

7. Use cable organizers (including Velcro tape) to keep cords neat and tidy.

8. Keep the knickknacks to a minimum and leave tabletops relatively clear.

9. Invest in under-couch storage bins for board games, books, etc.

10. Use multipurpose furniture, like side tables with built-in storage.

Bedroom and Closet

When your closet feels disorganized, it can hold you up while getting ready. And if you already err on the late side, this could seriously compromise your ability to be punctual! Give your closet a top-to-bottom reboot and see how much easier it is to throw together perfect outfits.

1. Consolidate your alarm clock, sound machine and radio with a smart speaker.

2. Install pegboards on the wall of your closet to hang jewelry, belts, bags and ties.

3. Install hanging shelves and drawers for folded clothes and blankets.

4. Invest in quality under-bed storage for shoes and out-of-season clothes.

5. In a small bedroom, switch to a loft bed to increase livable floor space.

6. Use cord organizers to sort out that mess of knotted cables behind the bed.

7. Install over-the-door storage for shoes and small items.

8. Invest in a storage bench at the foot of the bed for seating and storage.

9. Try Marie Kondo’s basic folding method to keep clothes neat and tidy.

10. Mount a full-length mirror on the back of the door to get it off the floor.

Home Office

Researchers have found that decluttering and cleaning your workspace can help increase focus, improve productivity and boost efficiency. So if you’re looking for some simple ways to make your office space support your career goals, start with organization.

1. Use drawer organizers to neatly delineate office supplies.

2. Hang organizers on the wall to store mail, notebooks, pens, etc.

3. Use a flat desktop calendar or wall calendar to free up desk space.

4. Install shelving for books, office supplies and decorations.

5. Turn open shelving into file storage by installing file racks.

6. Use rolling shelf units and cubby baskets for extra storage.

7. Invest in stackable plastic tubs for storing supplies in a closet.

8. Install under-desk cable organizers to keep cords neat and tidy.

9. Use wall organization racks or hooks to hang items on the wall.

10. Stay organized and on top of tasks with a wall-mounted chalkboard.

11. Skip the minimalist desk and opt for something with ample storage space.

12. Buy furniture with wheels so you can move it around as you please.

13. Make the most of your space with an L-shaped desk that fits into the corner.

14. Use over-the-door storage to add space for storing papers, files and supplies.

The thing about a whole-home organization effort is that it isn’t one big project. In reality, it’s dozens of small changes and enhancements. But the culmination of all these little things leads to a massive improvement in your quality of life and happiness. Follow these great tips and you’ll find that clarity comes easily when you’re spending time at home!

Author Bio:

Natalie Wienert started The WC Supply Company with her husband, Scott, with the goal to deliver quality cabinets with personal service at great prices. She has managed all facets of The WC Supply Company, including sales, marketing, product development, customer service and vendor relationships. In her free time, Natalie enjoys home renovation projects and spending time with her family and friends.