Whether you want to build the home of your dreams , move into one of those affordable TRU Factory Direct Homes, feel it’s time to sell your property and move elsewhere, you and your family will benefit drastically from finding ways to make the house ready for the future.
Understanding what a home of the future (even if this future is as close as next year) will make the property more appealing to buyers as well as yourself. However, too many people put off these improvements, and this often leads to significant costs and repairs later down the line. If you want to avoid this and boost your home’s style and substance, here is a ten-step guide for making your home the perfect place.
11 Steps To Make Your Home Ready for the Future
Consider Your Energy Source
If you want to modernize and future-proof your home, renewing your energy source to solar panels could be an excellent choice. Relying on renewable energy as opposed to other energy sources will make your home a more attractive prospect for buyers of the future, and it will make you and your family feel a little better about your home.
This could be the first step you need to take towards making your home prepared for the future. At the very least, it will demonstrate that you’re someone who has an interest and dedication in clean energy rather than traditional sources that could be harmful to the environment.
Make Your Home A Smart Place to Be
Your home upgrades shouldn’t merely focus on energy, though. Many people have already embraced smart home technology, whether they realize it or not. If you want to maximize your home’s potential, smart meters, smart plugs, and other smart devices dotted around your home can all contribute to a better experience whenever you’re relaxing at home.
You needn’t make everything smart, especially as many people still enjoy the autonomy of switching the lights on and off. But, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider which utilities require upgrades. If you feel you’re spending too much on heating (or cooling) the home, a smart device can provide analytics that will help your family adjust its habits.
Of course, it’s usually wise to start with HVAC repair to make sure everything’s working as it should before you start adjusting anything, but once that’s done, you can move smoothly and quickly into the future.
Photo by Sidekix Media on Unsplash
Look at Current (and Predicted) House Trends
If you’re stuck for home-improvement inspiration whether buying or interior design trends, you can check out what other homeowners are doing. This can open up a world of possibilities and help you identify things that you can change around your home.
Not only will you get inspiration, but you can also find out what people are looking for. This can prevent you from investing in an outdated renovation that potential buyers will not want. Instead, you’ll design a home that looks the part and is ready for the future. In doing so, you’ll have a better bargaining position if you want to sell your home.
Think About What You Want From Your Home
You shouldn’t only think about what others want. Right now, it’s your home, so you should do what you can to make it a space where you and your family can feel comfortable. If you’ve just moved into your first home, you won’t want to leave too soon, so consider what you want from the place before doing anything else.
Do you want to start a family, or at the very least get a dog? If so, do you think they will be happy here? Is there enough space to play? Is there enough space to build a family without forcing the kids to share a bedroom forever? On the other hand, if this is a simple starter home, ask how you can get the most out of it before you move on.
Fix Small Problems Now
Every home has small problems, whether it’s an older property or a new build. These minor issues are easy fixes, but many homeowners will ignore them because they don’t feel they are too severe. While this is mildly true, these problems could get worse without you noticing.
Therefore, you must fix the small problems around the home as soon as possible. Not only will this make the home look better, but it will prevent more expensive issues sooner rather than later. What’s more, it helps you stay on top of everything around the house.
Of course, if you can’t fix the problems yourself, make sure you hire professionals like an electrician and plumber rather than leave the problem to get worse – it makes a lot more sense to get it all fixed safely and efficiently.
Get a Second Opinion
As much as minor fixes are easy to solve, you may also encounter more substantial repairs. These may have gone unnoticed for a while and you need to get them fixed as quickly as possible. That said, you shouldn’t go with the first opinion, as there’s a risk they could misdiagnose it, or realize you don’t know what you’re talking about, and try taking you for a ride.
This is why a second opinion is so important. While the chances of the same information are high, you may avoid a serious renovation bill that isn’t even necessary.
Embrace Repurposed Items
The idea that everything needs to be new has passed by, and the modern homeowner, at least those of a certain age, are looking for bargains. Thrift stores and second-hand items from relatives and friends are a useful way to achieve this, so don’t be afraid to reuse and repurpose items.
Repurposing older items is all about getting creative, so consider how you can use boxes, crates, bedsheets, or anything else that’s gifted to you. This trend goes along with smart technology and solar panels and is something that makes your home more eco-friendly, which is certain to help the planet a little.
Don’t Neglect The Exterior
As much as you’re going around the inside of your home decorating and rearranging furniture, you can’t forget about the exterior. Curb appeal is a significant element of selling your home. Even if you don’t want to sell your home, you still want it to look nice for the neighbors or just anyone passing by.
Spending time in your garden planting flowers, pruning bushes, and mowing the lawn might not sound like something you want to do right now, but it can help you feel more relaxed. You’ll feel proud of your garden every time you get back from work, and this will make you feel happier about your home.
Make the Home Secure
There are plenty of reasons and ways for you to make your home safe. If you’ve got a family, you don’t want anything to happen to them. If you’ve got some expensive things or sentimental items, you want to keep them secure while you’re away.
Replacing the windows, doors, and locks can all contribute to a more secure property. You might want to install security lights, especially in shadowy areas such as the side path or blind spots around the backyard. While it might feel like you’re over-reacting, the peace of mind is something you’ll love.
Develop a Consistent Routine
It’s difficult to keep up with everything you need to do at your home, but developing (and sticking to) a routine will make it much easier to manage your house.
This routine, covering home repairs and cleaning can help maintain your home for longer. The increased lifespan means you can minimize the chances of expensive repairs, and you can take the money you’ve saved and put it towards other home improvements that can make your house a more appealing place for everyone.
Do More With The Available Space
Frankly, making the home feel bigger and better will deliver immediate benefits. However, it is particularly important if your family is growing in size or numbers. While you may think that moving is the only option, there are plenty of alternatives to consider.
Professional whole home remodeling can transform bathrooms, kitchens, and other key rooms. By doing more with each space, both functionally and aesthetically, the vibe changes throughout your home. Another option is to transform the guest room or garage. The list of possibilities is near endless and will overhaul your home life for the better.
Or if you do need more physical space, extensions will save you from needing to move in the years to come.
Future
You don’t need to fill your home with gadgets and gizmos to make it ready for the future (although a few devices here and there will help). Mainly, though, you can prepare your home for the next generation with these tips from a guest author by ensuring everything is up to scratch, looks good, and feels like something that anyone would love to live in, whether five, ten or even fifty years from now.