5 New Year’s Resolution for Home Improvement

As we ride the crest of a recession into 2010, home is a place where Americans are spending much more of their time. Home improvements not only support the value of your home, but they can make life much more pleasant if you opt for money-saving “staycations” or nights eating in. Here are five New Year’s resolutions for home improvement, whether you choose to take on a remodel project, redecorate or just resolve to maintain your home more efficiently.

Photo by: Twoblueday on Flickr

1. Check for Energy Efficiency

Are the drafty windows causing your heating unit to kick into overdrive? If you have an older house, it is especially important to make sure you are not washing money down the drain with outdated energy fixtures and appliances. Replacing old windows and doors with newer energy-efficient ones is ideal, but you can also seal your old windows with caulk or replace the rubber strips on your doors in the meantime. If you are in the market for a new dishwasher or refrigerator, check to make sure the new model has the “Energy Star” logo for maximum energy efficiency (along with a sweet tax deduction as well).

2. Sell or Donate Stuff You Don’t Use

A new year has never been a better time to practice the “out with the old” mantra. Consider all the things in your garage that you never use. Think about all the space in your closet being wasted on clothes that you will never wear again. Become friendly with your local Goodwill or Salvation Army, and donate anything you do not use. After all, you don’t want your house to end up on a reality TV show called “Hoarders.” By clearing the clutter and purging your home of things that just collect dust, you will enjoy spending time at home with a fresh just-moved-in feeling. Your house guests will appreciate it, too. No one wants to hang out in a space that they can’t move in.

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Decorate On A Budget In The Bedroom

When you think of decorating on a budget do you ever give your headboard a thought? Probably not and what is amazing is that the bed in any bedroom is always the star of the show. This article is going to cover decorating on a budget in the bedroom, specifically beds and how to make them the focal point of the room without spending a lot of money.

Bedding is a huge market with consumers. Oprah started a sheet craze on her favorite things show, talking about only getting sheets that are 400 thread count or higher. Well, I can tell you it makes a difference. The feeling of quality sheets is something to work in your budget if you can. Since they are pricier, you can offset the cost by dressing your bed with high end sheets in combination with other quilts or spreads you already have instead of investing in more expensive top bedding.

This bedroom picture is a good example of using high end sheets with low end furniture. The furniture in this home was actually handed down from grandparents. By folding the sheets back and giving the feel of a hotel or spa the bed seems just as inviting but without the big price tag. How you display and stage the bed is a key tip to decorating on a budget in the bedroom. The guests will fondly remember sleeping in that bed.
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Neighborhood Barter & Furniture Exchange

Economically speaking, the United States is in a place of regrouping and simplifying our lives and homes. Cut backs and strict budgets over time tend to drain motivation and hope. More families are choosing to entertain at home to stay on budget and still socialize with friends and family. This creates opportunity to decorate your home with a new look. Redecorating has the ability to offer a new perspective on daily living and give a breath of fresh air, lifting spirits, and make room for creative ideas to deal with life’s ups and downs.

How do you redecorate when you have no room to move in the budget? Bartering. It refers to– trade goods or services without the exchange of money.
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Home Interior Design – Outdoors

You’ve heard the saying “Bring the outdoors in” right? Well, I want you to get inspired about bringing the inside out. Home interior design rules apply the same whether you’re decorating the inside of the home or a patio or deck.

Consider what items you may already have that would work in your outdoor space. We had an old wooden picnic table that finally fell apart. However, the benches were still in decent shape. I used one bench for seating and the other to display lots of potted plants.
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Food Themed Decor

Using food themed décor makes sense on so many levels I thought I would give you a few ideas to “Chew On”.

Food, especially fruits and vegetables come in a multitude of colors. Notice the next time you go grocery shopping the color of food. It’s fascinating to see all the reds in tomatoes, and peppers, and apples. Greens are in every shade from lettuces and herbs to zucchini and avocados. Eggplant has one of the prettiest shades of purple and don’t miss the deep red of watermelon.
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Budget Decoration: Window Treatment Ideas

Starting with the curtain rod decoration, window treatments can be simple to lavish. With budget in mind, ideas are many. Curtain rods can be made from most anything. Choose a theme for your room and then go shopping-in your own house. Yes, I said your house. You can probably find exactly what you’re looking for tucked away in the attic or basement.
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Valentine’s Day Flowers: Ideas For All Budgets

Valentine’s Day is always a special time whether you have a certain special someone or not. Remember, Valentine’s Day is about sharing love. It doesn’t always have to be with a significant other, spouse, or fiancé. It can also include your kids, parents, close friends, or even co-workers. So just remember to celebrate, and a great way to do that is with Valentine’s Day flowers. Ideas for every budget are all around you.

We all know Valentine’s Day flowers aren’t growing in the back yard in February. But they are growing all over in greenhouses and you can get flowers for any budget anywhere from grocery stores to florist shops. Use your creativity with flowers. Ideas are a dime a dozen.
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Design On A Budget

Budgets come in all sizes but every home improvement has one. Careful planning, research, and organization all play a part in keeping your design on a budget. Many a budget has been lost do to being ill prepared before you start your project.

In this kitchen makeover the homeowner had to deal with several key issues.

1 Work within a fairly small area for a kitchen.

2. Design on a budget but create a modern look and feel.

3. Update the look while keeping with the original style of the home, which is a log home.

4. As always in a kitchen it had to be functional.

Don’t be afraid to put large things into small spaces. Several small things in a small space look cluttered and make the room appear crowded. Large items such as this kitchen island give the room a focal point and make it feel grounded and even larger than what it really is. The rectangular shape of the island pulls you into the room.
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