As the sun starts to make an occasional appearance, homeowners are greeted first with relief of the warmer days to come, and second the realisation that the winter has taken its toll and that the home and garden now look tired and unloved.
Many of these problems are quick fixes: mowing the lawn, having a tidy of the garden or cleaning windows can make a huge difference. But if your home needs a little more work, there are a few quick fixes that you can do without breaking the bank.
Front door upgrade
First impressions last and the front door gives you and your visitors a clear idea of the warmth within. If your front door paint is dull, scuffed, cracked or peeling, an upgrade or glow up could be just the ticket. If the fundamentals are there, but the door looks a little tired, elevating your curb appeal and welcome could cost well under £100. If you need to replace the door, the budget will be higher, but the impact will be significant.
Bring back your fireplace
Open fires and wood burning stoves have made a resurgence in the last few years, and for good reason: they keep the home warm and add a wonderful touch of light and life to the home. If your fireplace is redundant or has been covered up, look into reinstating it. As a focal point, old fireplaces work well with candles or flower arrangements in them; if you would like a working fireplace, contact a professional to ensure that your chimney is safe to use.
Invest in storage
Nothing makes a home feel chaotic like copious amounts of clutter. If your home is slowly being overtaken by clutter, from fridge magnets to ever-growing collections of shoes and coats, consider your storage options. Is your coat rack too small to handle a family’s worth of coats for a year? Consider thinning them out and placing in a storage box when they are not needed. If shoes in the hallway are getting you down, a local carpenter will be able to advise you on clever shoe storage solutions. If you just like ornaments, consider some bespoke shelving so that you can display your mementoes without them taking over the home.
Revamp your furniture
If you believe that furniture is for life, a quick revamp could be the answer to your problems. Getting a sofa reupholstered may cost a few hundred pounds, but will still be cheaper than getting a new one, and involves significantly less waste. Similarly, tables and chairs can be sanded, rewaxed, varnished or painted and new chair pads can make a huge difference.
If you want to breathe a fresh style into your home without spending a fortune or making structural changes, get in touch with a local carpenter or interior designer. They should be able to give you advice and quotes so that you can make an informed decision.