by Daniel Bell
Spring is here and before we know it, the kids will be breaking up for the summer holidays. Time flies, so why not start thinking about home improvements you need to make for summer now? Drawing up and working through a checklist will help to save you time and money, and ensure your home is ready for the new season.
With warmer weather and longer days just around the corner, here are some suggestions for home improvements to make without delay.
Garden Makeover
If you’re guilty of letting the gardening slide over the winter, now is the time to get those gloves on and start prepping for summer. Start by clearing the garden completely and mowing the lawns. Prepare your flower beds by removing any dead leaves and composting. Sow your seeds in line with planting instructions. Get your garden furniture out and give it a good clean. If your tables and chairs are in need of some TLC, get the jet washer out, or consider revamping the chair covers and cushions. Repaint your decking and give the fence posts a coat of varnish. Once you’ve spruced the garden, you can start thinking about injecting your sense of style. Take inspiration from magazines and interior and garden design websites. Look around garden centres and home stores for accessories to create a theme, or add a splash of color. You can bring a blank canvas to life with outdoor lanterns, fairy lights and soft furnishings.
Repairs
Spring is the ideal time to carry out any repair jobs. With summer around the corner, it’s best to sort out air conditioner repair and broken roof tiles. You’ll need your air con working properly for summer, and warm dry days are perfect for roofing repairs. Get your electrical appliances tested and clear out your gutters. You may be able to do some jobs yourself, but you should consider calling in the experts for more complex or dangerous tasks. Anything that involves electrics or gas should be left to the professionals.
Storage Update
If you’re sick of the sight of toys, clothes and shoes, it may be time to invest in some better storage solutions. De-cluttering your home creates space, and saves time when you’re tidying up. Look online and in showrooms for inspiration and go for options, which maximize the space you have available. Think pull-out drawers in the kitchen and fold-down shelving in the bathroom. Make use of your garage and stow away outdoor clothing, walking boots and garden toys.
Getting organized in the spring makes for a long, a relaxing summer. Take a tour of your house and garden and jot down any jobs that need doing in a notepad. Devote a couple of weekends to spring cleaning and clearing and make some appointments to sort out any repairs. Have fun with new designs and shop around for furniture and accessories to update your home. Search online for inspiration, and mix and match themes and ideas to create your own unique designs.