7 Simple Home Improvements to Beat the Winter Blues

Winter can be a tough time of year for many of us, especially after all the holiday excitement dwindles down. It’s cold. It’s dark. It’s gloomy. And this is when many of us start to feel the winter blues settling in. 

But there is good news. By planning out a few simple home improvements you can easily transform your space into a happier and cozier place to be, while also enjoying time spent inside. Sprucing up your home can feel good during any season, but certain projects are perfect for giving you a much-needed mood boost during this time of year. 

So, if winter is getting you down, consider these home improvement projects to help you beat those winter blues, no matter how short the days are or how low the temperatures drop.

painted living room

1. Repaint living spaces

Feeling like your home is in need of a dramatic change? A new coat of paint can be a cheap and effective way to switch things up in no time. During this time when many of us need a mood booster, take a page out of the psychology book, and surround yourself with colors that help you relax and increase happiness. In general, cool colors have a calming effect, while warm colors add comfort and can be invigorating. White can help brighten rooms by reflecting light. It makes a small space feel larger and more open, which can help you feel more energized.

Painting can require some patience, especially if you are considering a brand new color, but it’s easy enough for even a DIY beginner to accomplish. And, with the right attitude and a few friends or even some favorite music, you can make repainting your walls fun, too. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your painting project, consider hiring a local painting company to tackle it for you.

kitchen lighting

2. Update your home’s lighting 

What better way to brighten and warm your spirits this winter than with the perfect lighting. Not to mention it’s an easy and affordable way to make your home a more comfortable place to spend time.

Instead of sticking with whatever fixtures came in your home when you bought it, you can use the doldrums of winter as an excuse to try this simple home improvement. Light fixtures are affordable and can often be installed without an expert. Whether you repurpose your holiday string lights or invest in a daylight lamp, the options are endless. You can also completely change the ambiance in your home simply by replacing any harsh white bulbs with calming yellow ones.

skylights in living room

3. Maximize natural light with windows or skylights

With the shorter days and gloomy weather, one of the main factors leading to winter blues this time of year is the lack of natural light. The best solution for this is to increase the amount of sunlight in your home. If your current windows aren’t letting in enough light or air, it may be time to upgrade. 

Skylights can also be an excellent way to improve natural light. This is true even if you live somewhere like Miami, where the sunlight is abundant. Skylights can be installed in many areas of your home, with kitchens and baths being among the most popular choices. Adding more light and sun can go a long way in making the winter darkness a little easier to manage.

simple home improvements bright entryway

4. Install a sound system

There’s nothing like a great song for instantly lifting the spirits. Playing some of your favorite tunes at home is the perfect remedy to help fight your winter blues. It’s a bit less impactful, though, when you’re listening to music through tiny laptop speakers. If you want to really immerse yourself in the sound of your favorite songs, invest in a home sound system.

Setting up a surround sound system or a sound system that plays across multiple rooms is quite simple. Modern technology allows for easy connectivity with Bluetooth, ensuring your home is ready for fun without a costly or complicated setup process.

simple home improvements bathroom

5. Improve organization

After spending months inside due to the pandemic, followed by the holidays, your home may be overrun by clutter. Think about how good you’ll feel when you’ve cleaned your house, and everything has been put back in its rightful place

Improving the organization of a space can occur in a number of ways, from purchasing storage boxes and bins to custom pieces for the closet. A few simple home improvements can go a long way. Whether that’s just going through old mail, sorting clothing to donate, or filing papers, organizing can help create a nicer living space. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with the process, bring in a professional organizer or declutter to help.

6. Add greenery to beat winter blues

Plants are amazing gifts of nature. In both work and home environments, live plants can boost your mood, productivity, concentration, and creativity. Plants come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny succulents to large potted plants, making greenery a functional and flexible option for everyone. You can choose from flowers, greek plants like ferns, or even herbs to add color and life to any room.

If you have a large living area, potted trees can also be an excellent addition and one of the simplest home improvements you can do. Available from local nurseries and mail order services nationwide, plants make it easy to add a dynamic living focal piece to any room.

bedroom sanctuary simple home improvement

7. Create a bedroom sanctuary

There’s nothing quite like having a cozy place to escape to on a cold winter day. From fluffy blankets and bedding to essential oils and warm, ambient lighting, your bedroom can be a place of peace from the moment you walk in. Flannel sheets can keep you nice and warm while a plush rug to sink your toes into will add comfort. 

Making it through yet another winter may seem tough, but a few simple home improvements can be just what you need to turn a cold-weather frown upside down. From a little repainting to installing skylights, there’s plenty you can do to increase your happiness and take your home from bland to beautiful this season.

The post 7 Simple Home Improvements to Beat the Winter Blues appeared first on Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling & More.

Source: redfin.com

How to Save Money on Your Heating Bill

How to Save Money on Your Heating Bill

Radiator Hack

If you use radiator heat, make them work harder without spending an extra cent. Wrap a very large piece of corrugated cardboard in aluminum foil (shiny side out), and place it behind your free-standing radiator. The foil will reflect the heat, and make the room warmer.

Stuffed Animal Draft Dodgers

Do your kids have lots of stuffed animals? This winter, put those they play with less often to good use: Line them up in front of their bedroom windows to prevent drafts from coming in underneath.

See Also: 5 Ways to Take Care of Your Home During Winter

Keep It Humid

It’s true that it’s not the heat that makes you feel warm, it’s the humidity. Humid air feels warmer than dry air, so in the winter, instead of cranking the heat, run a humidifier. This allows you to turn down the heat, save energy, and still feel comfortable. Live, leafy plants also help raise humidity levels.

A Ceiling Fan Can Keep You Warm Too

Don’t let your fan go to waste just because it’s no longer warm outside. To stay toasty during the frigid days of winter, hit the reverse switch to push hot air down into your room.

Plug Up Leaks

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a well sealed home can be up to 20 percent more energy efficient. Most leaks occur in the basement or attic—look where you feel a draft or around wiring holes, plumbing vents, ducts, and basement rim joints. You’ll be able to seal lots of leaks with a simple caulking gun, but for instructions on how to plug larger holes, check out this guide at EnergyStar.gov.

Lock Your Windows

In the winter, don’t just keep windows closed, make sure they’re locked for the tightest possible seal. This could greatly reduce drafts.

Winterize Your Door

If you have a sliding glass door that’s rarely used during the winter, seal the top, bottom, and sides with duct tape to keep cold air from coming in. Or, cut the sleeve off an old sweater or sweatshirt, then fill it with uncooked rice and knot the ends. Place in front of drafty doors and the rice will absorb the cold!

See also: Your Fall/Winter Home Maintenance Checklist

Dust Buster

Make sure to vacuum your heating and air conditioning vents regularly. When they get caked up with dust your furnace or air conditioner has to work much harder! For the best energy efficiency, make sure to keep them dust-free.

Close Some Vents

Close the heating and air-conditioning vents in rooms in your home you don’t frequently use, like a guest room or laundry room. If your vents don’t have closures, simply seal them off with duct tape.

Slow and Steady with the Thermostat

When it’s time to turn on the heat, be patient. Your house won’t heat up any faster if you crank the thermostat way up, but you are likely to forget to turn it down, which can be a huge energy waster.

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Source: quickanddirtytips.com

Martha’s Vineyard Estate From 1688 Tops This Week’s List of the 10 Oldest Homes for Sale

Martha's Vineyardrealtor.com

There’s something soothing about looking at things that have withstood the test of time. Perhaps that’s why our regular peeks at the oldest homes on the market are so darn popular.

The 10 oldest homes available for sale this week date all the way to the establishment of the 13 ragtag Colonies. Each represents a long-standing commitment to the stories they have to tell and to all the people who took care of these homes through the years.

The list is topped by an estate on Martha’s Vineyard, MA, that was established in 1688. The James Allen House sits right next to Chilmark Pond and the Atlantic Ocean beyond.

The “newest” listing to crack the list was completed in 1760 and once served as a stagecoach stop. Today, it’s a lovingly updated family home with a living room where the tavern used to be.

Have a look at this week’s 10 oldest homes—we think they’ll serve as a refreshing antidote to today’s world.

1. 260 South Rd, Chilmark, MA

Price: $4,195,000
Year built: 1688
James Allen House: Spread over 6 acres, this waterfront estate includes a private Atlantic Ocean beach and deeded access to a dock on Chilmark Pond. The listing notes that generations of the same family have lived in and loved this Martha’s Vineyard retreat.

The grounds are landscaped with stone walls, fields, lawns, and walking paths. Buildings on the property include a two-bedroom guest cottage, a one-bedroom bunkhouse, garage, and garden shed.

The three-bedroom main house has a number of fireplaces and is surrounded by lovely views of the water.

Chilmark, MA
Chilmark, MA

realtor.com

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2. 99 Fisher St, Westborough, MA

Price: $579,900
Year built: 1727
Antique Colonial: Updated and well-maintained, this three-bedroom historic home sits on more than an acre at the end of a quiet dead-end street.

Highlights include a four-season room, a large dining room space with water views of Mill Pond, and a family room with beamed ceiling, plus a pellet stove. There’s also a basement, as well as a freshly renovated kitchen and bathrooms.

Westborough, MA
Westborough, MA

realtor.com

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3. 886 Vaughn Rd, Pottstown, PA

Price: $1,550,000
Year built: 1734
All-inclusive estate: Enormous by every conceivable definition, this estate of over 31 acres is only 40 minutes from downtown Philadelphia. The main house is a six-bedroom stone farmhouse dating to the Colonial era.

The spread includes the main home, a guest home, and a barn converted into a contemporary office building. The eclectic offering also has such amenities as an in-ground pool, a tennis court, paths, natural pond, motocross race course, and a field of solar panels.

Pottstown, PA
Pottstown, PA

realtor.com

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4. 10690 Allens Fresh Rd, Charlotte Hall, MD

Price: $925,000
Year built: 1739
Westwood Manor: This landmark home sits on a hill, surrounded by views and 30 acres of crop land.

The three-bedroom main house is one of only two known brick 18th-century gambrel roof structures still standing in Charles County. The home has retained many of its original details, including wood floors, molding, and two staircases.

Charlotte Hall, MD
Charlotte Hall, MD

realtor.com

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5. 540 Belmont Ave, Southampton, PA

Price: $549,900
Year built: 1745
Lemon Hill Farm: Behold this four-bedroom Bucks County retreat, recently updated with a new kitchen and bathroom.

Only the second home to be built in the original village, it’s brimming with antique details, like the pie stairs, millwork, wide-plank hardwood floors and built-ins. The 2.5-acre spread includes a carriage house that has been converted into a garage with a loft.

Southampton, PA
Southampton, PA

realtor.com

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6. 325 Main St, Old Saybrook, CT

Price: $895,000
Year built: 1746
Deacon Timothy Pratt House: A local landmark, this five-bedroom, center-chimney Colonial was recently renovated. It features a “treetop” third-floor bedroom suite with cathedral ceiling, exposed beams, sitting area, and private bath.

The half-acre property is listed on the National Historic Register and could be used as a bed-and-breakfast, according to the listing.

Old Saybrook, CT
Old Saybrook, CT

realtor.com

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7. 75 Fleshman Mill Rd, New Oxford, PA

Price: $400,000
Year built: 1740
Commercial potential: The seller is looking for someone to make an offer on this historic three-bedroom home, which is zoned for potential commercial use.

The owner is currently expanding the home to create two more bedrooms, and has a written history of the place ready to pass on to a buyer.

The 4-acre spread may need some work, but appears to have investment potential, plus plenty of historical value.

New Oxford, PA
New Oxford, PA

realtor.com

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8. 107 Changebridge Rd, Montville Township, NJ

Price: $998,000
Year built: 1752
Doremus House: This old home needs your finishing touches. According to the listing, the interior of this historic four-bedroom has been demolished and is ready for a new owner to finish the renovation of this classic property.

On more than 4 acres, it’s ready to be transformed into something special, and, for a development-minded buyer, the property has the potential to be subdivided.

MOntville Township, NJ
Montville Township, NJ

realtor.com

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9. 49 Gregory Hill Rd, Princeton, MA

Price: $849,900
Year built: 1760
Charles Russell House: This quaint, 4-acre property is bordered by stone walls and lilacs. The five-bedroom main house has wide pine floors, a walk-in pantry, and a sunroom overlooking the backyard.

The oversized attached barn has basement storage, plus a two-bedroom apartment with an updated kitchen and separate utilities.

Princeton, MA
Princeton, MA

realtor.com

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10. 310 Pleasant View Ave, Smithfield, RI

Price: $445,000
Year built: 1760
Steere-Harris House: Restored throughout, this antique four-bedroom Colonial offers a spacious 2,922 square feet of living area.

It was once a stagecoach stop, and the family room once served as the tavern. There’s also an outbuilding formerly used as a wash house, as well as a post-and-beam barn being used as a workshop.

For buyers interested in growing their own produce, the listing notes that the fenced-in vegetable garden has incredibly rich soil.

Smithfield, RI
Smithfield, RI

realtor.com

The post Martha’s Vineyard Estate From 1688 Tops This Week’s List of the 10 Oldest Homes for Sale appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

Source: realtor.com

This Stunning Modern House Was Built With Fire Safety in Mind

The record-breaking 2020 fire season has seen huge wildfires tear across California. In fact, five of the six largest fires ever recorded in the state have occurred this year, endangering residents, prompting evacuations and leading to thousands of lost buildings.

Unfortunately, researchers are forecasting even longer, more extreme wildfire seasons in the years to come — which means fire safety is now fast becoming a feature more treasured than even the most extravagant of amenities. And home builders are starting to cater to that need, coming up with ingenious ways to ‘fire-proof’ their projects.

One stunning example of that is this newly-built $5 million home in Marin County, Calif. that prioritizes fire safety — something that’s likely to become a new standard for million dollar homes throughout the Golden State.

Newly-built home in Marin County, CA focuses on fire safety
Newly-built home in Marin County, CA. Image credit: Thomas Henthorne

The builder picked all of the outdoor finishes with fire safety in mind, using only steel, glass and concrete. Even the decks are made from Fibergrate (a type of molded fire-resistant fiberglass and stone).

In fact, the only wood you’ll find in this home is the wide-plank engineered oak floors. As expected, there is also a fire suppression system throughout the home.

Newly-built home in Marin County, CA focuses on fire safety
Newly-built home in Marin County, CA. Image credit: Thomas Henthorne

Yet fire safety is not the only area in which this home excels. With its dramatic walls of glass, soaring steel beamed ceilings, and high-end designer finishes, the property is a stunning example of modern 21st century architecture.

Set in the coveted Country Club neighborhood of San Rafael — roughly 11 miles north of San Francisco — the house boasts a modern industrial design, with its walls of glass opening up the indoor areas to the outdoor greenery and flooding the home with sunlight and captivating views. The space is anchored by a stunning ultra-modern kitchen and features wide-plank oak flooring and a modern fireplace.

The house boasts a modern industrial design with soaring steel beamed ceilings.
The house boasts a modern industrial design with soaring steel beamed ceilings. Image credit: Thomas Henthorne
Walls of glass open up to beautiful nature views and flood the home with light
Walls of glass open up to beautiful nature views and flood the home with light. Image credit: Thomas Henthorne
dining room of an ultra-modern house in california
Walls of glass open up to beautiful nature views and flood the home with light. Image credit: Thomas Henthorne

The fire-resistant home comes with 4 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, and quite a few ultra-modern features. It has its own solar system (powered by 28 solar panels) and battery back up systems for when the power is out, and has been outfitted with smart home technology like a Doorbird Entry System, Nest thermostats, smart lighting, automatic blinds and more.

Adding to that wow factor is a dramatic, Instagram-worthy foyer at the entrance, which has ‘living walls’ of exotic plants on both sides. Same goes for the outdoor pool, which comes with a built-in spa, automatic safety cover and gas heater.

living wall in the foyer of a luxury home
Dramatic entrance has walls of greenery on both sides. Image credit: Thomas Henthorne
The fire-resistant house features plenty spaces to entertain guests
The fire-resistant house features plenty spaces to entertain guests. Image credit: Thomas Henthorne
modern bedroom with glass walls overlooking the pool
Walls of glass open up to beautiful nature views and flood the home with light. Image credit: Thomas Henthorne
Newly-built home in Marin County, CA
Newly-built home in Marin County, CA. Image credit: Thomas Henthorne

The home is currently on the market with a $4,995,000 price tag. Thomas Henthorne with Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty is exclusively representing the property.

More striking homes

See Inside a Modern, Art-Filled Compound — with a Custom Outdoor Piece by French Artist Invader
Morgan Brown Re-Lists Stunning West Hollywood Home Amid Split from Actor Gerard Butler
Join the Ranks of the Hollywood Celebs Renting This House in Malibu
Mitch and Cam’s Duplex from the ‘Modern Family’ Pilot is On the Market & It’s Absolutely Lovely

The post This Stunning Modern House Was Built With Fire Safety in Mind appeared first on Fancy Pants Homes.

Source: fancypantshomes.com

How to Transition Your Kids’ Rooms

As your children grow and change, so should their bedrooms. However, if you were to revamp their rooms with every changing interest, favorite color or boy band, you would not only be spending a lot of time, but also a lot of money. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re looking to transition a child’s room as he or she continues to get older.

Start With Change in Mind

Designing a child’s nursery when you’re expecting is a fun and exciting experience. What parents may not plan for, though, are the unforeseen changes that the room might need as the child grows. Create a nursery with neutral wall colors and an open floor plan for playtime. It makes an easier transition that you can work with each changing year.

Consult With Them

When you’re planning to revamp your children’s room after a few years, make sure to consult with them. It’s likely they won’t hold back in letting you know what they want. You can enhance a child’s creativity and production levels if their rooms are filled with things that excite them.

Choose the Right Items

There are certain pieces of furniture and décor that can grow with a child. For example, a desk is a piece of furniture that can be added into a room and never seem to lose its importance, whether they’ll be endlessly creating works of art in coloring books or filling out college applications. Other items can include a classic bedframe and a monochromatic comforter.

Work Slowly but Surely

Make sure to try not to overwhelm your child with a lot of changes at once. If you’ve decided that it is time to “grow up” from the nursery, it may be best to do it little by little. Most parents choose to start with a new bed before gradually continuing to swap out the old with the new.

Remember Teen Tips

During the teen years, make sure to declutter (that garage sale money can go to their college fund), freshen up with a new paint job, and provide grown-up accessories. Allow room for self-expression, but with limits. For instance, you can frame posters instead of using thumb tacks or tape directly on the walls. A bold rug is fine for the time being, especially if it protects the carpet or floor from food spills or shoe marks.

Raising children can be one of the greatest joys in life, so make sure their room reflects that! Take these tips with you over the years and let the DIY project become a fun one you and your child can look back on.

The post How to Transition Your Kids’ Rooms first appeared on Century 21®.

Source: century21.com