Over the last few weeks, we’ve had a lot of readers asking about spring home improvements. It seems that we’ve finally shaken off the winter blues, and we’re ready for the big spring clean. Today, we’re looking specifically at anyone with a holiday home. Perhaps it’s a log cabin in the woods or a beach house by the sea. Why holiday homes? Because, it’s the perfect time to make some improvements before summer. This period is usually a quiet time for letters, which means it’s a great moment for a spring clean. However, we’ll go well beyond a quick dusting, we’ll show you some serious upgrades.
Our following advice will help you welcome new guests over the summer, and maybe even raise your prices. Year on year, your holiday home becomes a little more weather beaten and lived in. That can leave it feeling less than desirable. Luckily, there are plenty of small, easy tricks you can use to breathe new life into it. It’s time to get your hands dirty, and make some changes. Let’s dive straight in, shall we?
- New paint job
One of the easiest ways to freshen up your holiday home is with a new lick of paint. A fresh colour will go a long way to rejuvenating the space. It’s often a good idea to stick to a relatively neutral palette if you have regular guests in the space. However, don’t be afraid to get a little creative. For example, you could experiment with a statement wall. In other words, use a bright or bold colour on just one of the walls, leaving the others a simple cream colour. It will inject a stab of creativity and personality into the home. It might make your home feel more fun. You can also experiment with each room. For example, the living room is the perfect place for a warm, cosy red or purple.
- Refresh the furniture
If you’ve been stuck with the same furniture for years, perhaps it’s time for a rethink. You can replace the aging old sofa and chairs with a new model. Perhaps a new kitchen table will bring new life to the space. Again, you can get relatively creative here, and you needn’t spend a fortune. However, it may just change the entire feeling of the space. Try hunting out some new pieces at a flea market or thrift shop. You’re likely to find a unique piece of furniture at a bargain price. Take a look at http://worldmarket.com for more furniture ideas.
- Make it weather resistant
This is particularly important if you have a cabin or outdoorsy holiday home. However, it’s useful advice for all properties. Over the winter, our homes take a beating from the constant rain and wind. Eventually, it can lead to weaknesses in the structure, and rainwater can penetrate the building. For cabins, in particular, you’ll need to seal up any weaknesses and gaps with caulk. You can learn more about this at http://weatherall.com/log-home-caulking/. For regular homes, look for any places where the structure has been compromised or exploited. Don’t let it turn into a bigger, more expensive problem.
- Check the gutters
After the winter, we often find that our gutters are full-to-bursting. They can quickly clog up with leaves and debris. Your first concern is aesthetics. Clogged gutters look unappealing, and can leave the house feeling less desirable. However, there’s a more problematic issue here. A clogged gutter will also allow water to pour over the edge, rather than down the drain. Free-falling water like this can soak the external walls and lead to penetrating damp. This is something you want to avoid at all costs. Hitch up a ladder, and remove the debris from the gutters.
- Refresh the exteriors
While you’re out working on the gutters, ask yourself what else you can do to tidy up the front aspect. Perhaps the siding could be replaced or repainted. Clean up your windows, and give the door a fresh lick of paint. You could even replace the door features with shiny new alternatives. Tidy up the lawn, if you have one, and repair any broken driveway or paving slabs. Boosting the curb appeal of your holiday home might just allow you to push the price up slightly too.
- Landscaping
There’s nothing better than sitting outside on a warm summer’s night. Why not make sure the outside area is worthy of sitting out all night. Take this chance to refresh the garden area before the summer hits. Tidy up the lawns, replant the flower beds, and use a power-washer to clean the paving slabs. It will bring new life to the garden, and give you a wonderful place to sit out and enjoy the summer. If you’re feeling particularly handy, you could even build a new wooden deck or patio. Check out http://diy.com to find out how to build one.
- New carpets or floors
After years of renting out your holiday home, the floors and carpets will begin to feel worn. With regular families trampling through, it’s sure to wear down. Why not take this opportunity to replace your existing carpets with soft new versions. You can indulge yourself with a deep, thick carpet in the living room and bedrooms. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, you could install a wonderful wooden flooring. This is a more expensive upgrade, but it could make all the difference in your holiday home.
- Check the plumbing for cracks
Over the winter, there is a serious risk of cracked pipes and plumbing problems. Winter’s icy grasp will often freeze the water in the pipes, causing the ice to expand. This expansion will cause cracks and tears in the pipes. At the very least, it may cause weakness that is vulnerable in the years to come. Now that warmer days are on their way, take this opportunity to inspect your plumbing, and look for small cracks. A tiny leak isn’t always obvious, but it can cause a lot of invisible damage. If you’re not comfortable performing this task, bring in a plumber to make the checks for you. Trust us, fixing a plumbing problem early will save you a lot of time and money in the future.
Whether you’re renting out your holiday home this year, or just planning a family trip, take this chance to improve it. Follow these ideas, and you’ll love the outcome!
