If you’re a homeowner or potential homebuyer, you may be wondering how to add value to your home. Most of us know the advice of giving your home a fresh coat of paint, repairing and maintaining large features such as HVAC systems or roofs. But what other ways can you add to a home’s resale value?

Here are a few ways to increase property value, even if you and your household plan to stay there for a while.

Update electrical systems

Many future buyers are interested in a home that is energy efficient, even outside energy-efficient appliances. Newer homes require substantially more electricity to be ported through their electrical systems because of new technologies.

And while this isn’t something you should take on yourself, unless you’re a licensed electrician, it is something you may want done.

On average, this project could run anywhere between $800 and $3,500. Before beginning this project, be sure to have your electrical system tested by a professional before taking on the endeavor.

Add more space and usable square footage

Many larger homes are sold fairly quickly. Potential homebuyers may be searching for a home they can expand their household in. They may want to add extra room for entertaining. They may even have a household full of pets or extensive foliage. Regardless, having extra square footage is a great way to bring up your home’s value.

If you already have a home full of unused space, try relocating whatever you have in that area by repurposing the items, selling them, donating them or finding a simple off-site storage solution. Once you’ve relocated the items, determine if you’ll need a contractor to help turn the unused space into something more, like a master bedroom or media room.

For those who may not have the extra space, exploring the idea of creating an addition could open you up to more possibilities when it comes to selling your home or passing it through future generations.

Install smart home technology

Smart home technology can be embedded into typical home technologies, such as your thermostat or alarm system. While those items are fantastic starting points, this technology may be able to go even further.

Appliances such as refrigerators, ovens and dishwashers can increase your home’s sustainability. While this isn’t a true integration, many homebuyers may be more likely to put an offer on the home when they experience the sustainable efforts you’ve put into your daily appliances, especially if they come with the home.

Curb appeal is still crucial

Is your garage door well over its threshold? Do you need to upgrade your outdoor space to include a few more accessibility features? Perhaps you simply want to add a few solar panels to increase your home’s energy efficiency. Regardless, you need to keep your home’s curb appeal at the forefront of your home improvement to-do list.

For example, opt for garage doors with durability and heft with low-energy motors. If accessibility is more your speed, try adding a few more walkway lamps and a small concrete ramp to your home’s main entrance.

When placing solar panels, keep the style and load weight in mind when putting them on your roof or along the siding of your home.

Contemporary decor is everywhere, yet it can be difficult to define. While often used interchangeably with “modern,” the term contemporary refers to a specific design style using specific elements. Contemporary style is simple, sophisticated and bold without being busy or overly dark. To help further define the term and inspire some of your contemporary interior design ideas, here is a basic guide to the key elements of contemporary decor:

Colors used in contemporary interior design

The main colors used in contemporary interiors are black, white and neutrals. Black outlines and black accent pieces are commonly used against a neutral backdrop. Bright colors are used sparingly, and typically with wall art or decorative accessories, to create a balance between sleek neutrals and bolder hues.

Contemporary style furniture

Contemporary furniture is both bold and simple. Basic geometric shapes and clean lines are more common than curves and embellishment. While contemporary style furniture is typically black, white or neutral-colored, it can be used as a way to add a pop of color to an otherwise neutral room. Less is more, so avoid furnishings with fringe, carved details or floral print.

Contemporary lighting

Track lighting and other forms of recessed lighting are incredibly popular in contemporary interiors. This type of lighting will illuminate a space to create ambient light, rather than focus on a particular feature or area of the room. Accent and task lighting are usually minimal, but highly structural and bold fixtures like chandeliers work well in contemporary style.

Space rather than objects

While contemporary design isn’t strictly minimalist, there is a special focus on the spaces between objects. For example, the wall above or between two pieces of furniture should look deliberate rather than “empty.” Contemporary design style uses space to define and highlight each piece and avoid clutter while remaining comfortable.

If you have an outdoor deck, back porch or patio, you can add hours of enjoyment to your outdoor space by adding a pergola. Ideas for pergola design and style can be found everywhere, too – from your local neighborhood to home and garden sources online.

If you’re interested in some ideas for adding or improving a pergola, here are some options to inspire you:

Create shade & privacy

A pergola is one of the best ways to add both shade and privacy to your outdoor space. However, depending on the structure itself, there are plenty of ways to go about it. For instance, canvas and other sturdy cloth varieties have always been great choices for a pergola’s roof and walls.

Another option is to hang screens made of natural materials like bamboo. Roll-up screens are convenient for raising and lowering to follow the angle of the sun, and can also shield against the wind. Other pergola decorating ideas like string lights and outdoor dining furniture can benefit from the extra shade and protection, no matter what style you choose.

Consider wood alternatives

A wooden pergola is the classic choice for outdoor spaces, but alternatives to wood have gradually grown in popularity. Metal options like a steel pergola are a chic alternative that can create a more industrial vibe to your patio space.

A steel pergola makes a bold and unique statement in your yard, and also provides you with a long-lasting outdoor feature impervious to most forms of environmental damage.

Other options for wood alternatives include vinyl, fiberglass and other galvanized metal.

Cultivate a living shelter

Gardens and pergola design often go together. One beautiful way to create shade and dimension to your outdoor space is to encourage trailing and climbing vines to cover a natural wood pergola. A pergola creates a stable outdoor structure for plants to thrive upon, and depending on your climate, you have myriad options to choose from.

You can even grow some vegetables using your pergola as a support. Plants like squash, melons and cucumbers all grow best when given a structure to climb, and their greenery helps create natural shade and privacy.

If you are a parent who has a passion for crafting, then you may want to share your favorite hobby with your kids. While you are busy creating a DIY shelf for the living room, you can easily give them their own special project to complete.

These are just a few of the best DIY home decor projects kids can safely do:

Felt alphabet banners

Felt is one of the best materials for kids to work with, as it is easy to cut and assemble with other materials. Felt alphabet banners make a fun decor item in a child’s playroom or bedroom, and the best part is, your kids can make the banners themselves.

To make this project, you need a couple dozen felt sheets in different colors and alphabet tracers. Cut out felt letters and use felt glue to adhere them to the felt banner backing of your choosing. When you have made every letter, you can display your banners across the room as wall art.

Finger paint wall art

The DIY home decor projects your kids make do not have to be reserved for kid-friendly rooms, such as play rooms and bedrooms. Give your kids some blank pieces of canvas or paper, and let them use finger paint that coordinates with your existing home decor to design their own works of art.

When the paint dries, you can display your custom creation in your kitchen, living room or entryway. You may even opt to frame it so it ties together with the rest of your decor.

Tie-dye pillow cases

Tie-dye is trending, and you won’t want your kids to miss out on the experience of mixing dye, twisting fabric and seeing the incredible results at the end of the process. One of the best tie-dye projects for kids of all ages is pillow cases. They can create a tie-dye pillowcase for their own bedroom, or you can have them craft tie-dye pillow cases for the throw pillows on display in your home.

These are just a few fun and easy DIY projects to do with your kids, no matter the occassion. And the best part is, these can be done with items typically found around the home. So enjoy a fun and crafty afternoon at home, creating new and exciting pieces of work to complement your home and your young ones’ artistic talents.

If you struggle with a messy closet, it can never hurt to have more closet organization ideas to try. While the amount of organization ideas can seem overwhelming, finding what works best for you will keep your space tidy and effective. For closet organization ideas to bring order to your closet chaos, it helps to have a system – and sometimes the simpler, the better.

Closet dividers

If you want your closet organization on par with a neat and tidy library, try using labeled closet dividers. There are multiple styles of dividers you can use to separate clothing by color, season or any other helpful category you choose.

Hanging partitions similar to the ones used in clothing stores are an efficient way to organize your hanging space. Simply attach to the rod or use individual hangers for a quick and simple reference whether you’re choosing an outfit or putting away clean clothes.

Flush mount lights

Of course, perfect organization doesn’t help you if your closet is too dark for you to find anything. Installing flush mount LED lighting inside your closet is a simple, space-saving way to illuminate the entire storage area.

Try smart lights with motion-detection to save energy. You can also install closet lights to turn on and off depending on whether the closet door is open or closed.

Shelves & drawers

If you have extra wall space in your closet, make the most of it. Add floating shelves, storage containers or modular drawer solutions to free up closet space. Unused wall space also provides an excellent opportunity for more storage solutions like magnetic strips, shoe organizers and tie racks.

To keep your closet shelves especially neat and tidy, consider installing curtains or sliding doors. Many custom shelving systems provide options for extra style along with your storage.

If you feel like your closet is a constant source of chaos, it might seem difficult to organize it in a way that works for your needs. However, keeping the basics in mind is a great way to start your closet organization journey.

There are many choices involved in building a new outdoor deck. Size, shape, style and building materials are just some variables involved in the project. To create a truly excellent outdoor living space, it’s crucial to think beyond the basics and choose the best design for your lifestyle.

If you’re interested in ideas for stellar outdoor deck design, here are some options to consider:

Celebrate the view with a balcony-style deck

Does your home boast a beautiful view? Whether it’s a neighborhood vista or a view of your beautiful landscaping, building a balcony-style deck is the perfect way to enjoy the great outdoors at home.

A balcony-style deck design is simple and relatively easy to install. For a small outdoor space, try including built-in seating in your deck design. Ensuring that your deck connects to the side of your home will also save valuable square footage while still providing an exceptional place to enjoy the natural beauty of your yard.

Incorporate a swimming pool or hot tub for at-home luxury

You can create your own spa-like outdoor oasis by including a pool or hot tub into your deck design. A raised deck with a sunken hot tub is the perfect way to achieve a sleek, uncluttered aesthetic. If your yard already has a swimming pool, building an enclosed deck to surround it creates both functionality and privacy.

If you prefer to relax by the water, include lounge chairs and an outdoor coffee table where you can enjoy your downtime. You can make your deck even more luxurious by including plenty of water-resistant throw pillows and an outdoor rug.

Enjoy your deck all year with a cozy fire pit

A fire pit is a popular focal point for any outdoor living space, and can make a perfect addition to your deck design. With the myriad styles of fire pit available to buy and build, finding the best choice for your deck is easy.

For a rustic vibe, a classic stone or concrete fire pit will do the trick. Otherwise, consider adding an outdoor fireplace to extend your home’s living space into the great outdoors. A brick wall creates the perfect backdrop for a simple, space-saving fire pit you can incorporate into any outdoor dining area or cozy gathering space.

No matter what direction you decide to go with your outdoor deck, these ideas can help you get started in the right direction.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed by a lengthy to-do list, try breaking it into manageable weekend projects for your home. It’s easy to put off some tasks because they seem difficult, but many are simpler and quicker to accomplish than you might expect. Here are some examples of weekend projects to mark off your to-do list this weekend:

Deep clean the bathroom

Don’t let the term “deep cleaning” intimidate you. When it comes to cleaning a single room like a bathroom, even a thoroughly deep clean can be accomplished in a weekend. One key to efficient cleaning is having the right products and tools for the job. Have sponges, disinfectant wipes, glass cleaner and a good toilet brush.

Clear out the fridge

How long has it been since you cleared out the leftovers from the deepest corners of your refrigerator? An excellent weekend project to cross off your list is to take everything out of the fridge and give it a good cleaning. You’ll be able to toss any expired foods and make room for new items. You’ll also gain more perspective on what you have in stock, helping you avoid food waste in the process.

Purge your closet

Another to-do list item that can be easy to put off is clearing out and organizing your closet. Whether it’s your personal bedroom closet, a hallway closet or another type of storage, consider dedicating a weekend to giving it a fresh start. For clothing and accessories, sort items into separate categories to keep, throw away and donate. Before you know it, you’ll have a fresh-feeling space with room to spare.

No matter what you have on your to-do list, it can be beneficial to focus on individual tasks. By breaking your list into manageable pieces, you’ll be able to accomplish these and many other weekend projects with ease.

Heat-related illness can be a large issue, especially in dry and arid climates. Even in climates where heat isn’t as prevalent, residents can still have heat-related issues such as heat exhaustion or dehydration. In fact, anywhere hot temperatures may creep up to severely uncomfortable levels, there’s caution to be had over maintaining a healthy body temperature.

Want to avoid having issues with a hot environment? Try these tips to keep the heat exhaustion at bay:

Drink plenty of water

Staying hydrated is a great way to maintain a normal body temperature during times of extreme heat. Adding an extra glass of water or so to your current hydration regimen will help account for the excess fluid you lose as your body sweats.

Stay out of the sun

Another considerable tip is to stay out of the sun, especially when it’s highest in the sky. If you need to go outside during a heat wave, try morning and evening hours when the sun hasn’t quite reached its peak.

Try remaining indoors where air conditioning and air circulation are present. You may also opt for more insulation for your home or heat blocking accents like blackout curtains and advanced weather stripping.

Take a cool shower

If you feel yourself getting too warm or notice signs of heat stress such as cramps, excessive dryness or feeling faint, go inside and rest first. Hydrate while doing so. When the symptoms pass, take a cool shower.

By keeping the shower levels below your normal body temperature, you’ll help bring an already spiked core temperature down to manageable and healthy levels. It may also help save a little extra money if you’d like to keep your air conditioning unit(s) at a certain temperature. If you get too warm, just hop in a cool shower and refresh

Watch the heat index

One hefty preventative measure for staying away from heat illness is to monitor the heat index in your area, especially if your region is experiencing an extreme heat event.

Many weather apps designed for smart devices have a heat index attached to them. They may also have active warning and weather notices that can help keep you safe during warmer weather.

These are just a few ways to avoid heat-related illnesses during times of excessively high temperatures. For those currently in or relocating to a hotter climate, be sure to keep your home’s insulation, HVAC or air conditioning units and home accessories in mind to help combat extreme temperatures.

Want to know the must-haves for music studio furniture? Recording in style is simple once you have the right setup. Depending on the size of your home studio, there are many ways to fit in the essentials while also giving you a chance to show your creativity.

Here are some ideas to inspire design and furniture choices for your music studio:

Essential furniture pieces for your studio

If you’re a professional musician, producer or even just a hobbyist, it’s important to think about your studio furniture the same way you would do a home office. After all, if you spend a long time in a chair or at a desk, it’s crucial to have the right size and features for comfort and functionality.

To help you get started with decorating a studio space, here are some of the basic furniture pieces you’ll want to have:

• A desk with plenty of room for your computer & other components.
• A comfortable, ergonomic chair.
• Storage, shelving & additional surfaces for equipment.

For the minimalist

If you prefer a minimalist approach to home studios, you can go a long way with a studio desk and a powerful laptop. Laptops are ideal for recording and mixing in a small space, and also help you avoid desk and cable management clutter.

Reuse old equipment

To add some style to your studio, consider turning old equipment into decor or furnishings. For example, an old amp could make an excellent base for an accent table. Give retired or broken instruments new life by displaying them as art pieces to add a vintage, musical vibe to your space.

Create a listening room

It can be helpful to surround yourself with sources of inspiration. To that end, consider your music studio to be a listening room combined with a creative space. What better place to proudly display your record or CD collection, or hang up posters of your favorite musicians?

Creating the ultimate home music studio doesn’t have to be complicated. When choosing furnishings, start with the basics and remember to combine functionality with your own personal style choices.

Many types of doors are on the market today, with different framework and wood types. Knowing your options can make all the difference when choosing the right door style to fit the appeal of your home.

What is the most common type of door?

One of the most common door types seen in residential properties is single-hinged doors. This door type is attached to the door frame with vertical hinges on one side, while the opposite side swings out for entry.

What wood are old doors made of?

There are many species of wood often used in doors; however, pine is seen quite frequently along with alder, which are both great species for paint work.

In addition to these wood types, many interior doors both modern and older are made of maple, oak, and cherry wood – all of which are shaped with ease and take well to both painting and staining.

What can I do with an old door?

If you have older interior or exterior doors you’d like to repurpose, there are many ways to put them into new use. For example, you can paint an old wooden door and install a floor length mirror, which not only rejuvenates two different pieces, while also creating a classy statement piece.

Turn old wooden doors into a fancy coffee table with some fresh paint and wooden legs for a fun contemporary spin on something that was once outdated.

What can I do with unwanted doors?

In the case you’d like to get rid of an old door entirely, it’s essential to dispose of it in the right way. Doors built and painted in homes before 1978 often have paint containing lead, which can be very hazardous.

It’s best to turn over older doors to a local solid waste facility, so it can be disposed of properly or checking the manufacturing guide for correct disposal instructions.

Whether you’d like to install glass doors, french doors, or any other model, it’s best to consult a local professional for best results. Both installation and removal can be tedious, but with expert help, you can do so with ease.