They say your home is your castle. And you want to design it from top to bottom the way you want it so you can live like a royal. Now, you probably won’t need to go all out when it comes to the decor. But you want it to look comfortable. Something you will be happy to walk through when the workday is done. We’ll be taking a look at a wide variety of ideas that you can put to good use so you can make your home more comfortable for you and your family. Who knows? You might wind up inviting the whole neighborhood over for a get together just to show off your latest upgrades.
Let’s take a look at some of the ideas that we might suggest if you are up for a good “DIY” home project. We’ll go a bit in-depth as to why they are important. If you’re considering making improvements to your home, then read on and take a look at these ideas to see if they’re a good fit for you.
Ideas For A More Comfortable Home
To note, we’re going to cover as much as possible. We’ll be talking about not just how to make your home more comfortable from the inside, but the outside as well. Let’s start with an outdoor idea:
Gazebo
Nothing makes a backyard or a front yard quite attractive like a gazebo. On a warm summer day, a gazebo is a great way to sit and relax while taking in the coolness that the natural shade provides you. A gazebo also can be useful for something else. You can have one for all of your mini-gardens if you are someone with a green thumb of sorts. There are plenty of ideas that you can come up with on how you can use a gazebo.
You can build a gazebo entirely from scratch or purchase one that is already built. Having gazebos added to your property will definitely increase the value of your home. Especially when someone might be looking for something with a quaint, inviting backyard that neighbors and even house guests would appreciate.
Retractable Patio Awning
If you have a patio, why not have an awning that you can retract at the touch of a button on those warm, sunny days? One of the rewards of having a retractable awning is that you can deploy it at the press of a button. Want sunshine on your patio? Done. Want a bit of shade if it’s too hot? You can have that too. On top of that, you’ll be able to add more value to your home. If you were to sell the home at some point, having a retractable patio awning would be a great way for the new owners to feel like they have more control over making their new home very comfortable.
Plus, a retractable patio awning would be the perfect way to save money on energy bills. Rather than run an energy-sucking air conditioner, you could have a reliable place where you can keep cool when there are other parts of your home that are feeling quite warm. Plus, if you are serious about reducing your carbon footprint, a retractable patio awning might be just what you need. When it comes to making your home more comfortable, you can do just that without having to use up a ton of energy as possible.
Patio Umbrellas
There are some days when a retractable patio awning probably won’t be needed. But you want your patio to have that more sophisticated look. And what better way to make it so with a patio umbrella? You can mount this to the middle of your patio table if you want something minimal. Some patio umbrellas have their own base and will have long adjustable arms so you can be able to place it over your patio furniture. Either way, it’s a great way to make your patio area more comfortable and even cooler on those hot summer days.
These are perfect when you are just relaxing at home or if you are having a few people over for lunch. You can choose the patio umbrella that will best suit your preferences and needs. And most of them are easy to assemble, so you won’t have to worry about any complicated installs.
Patio Chairs
A patio is useless without the right kind of patio furniture. And that of course includes patio chairs. You can purchase them as standalone or along with a patio furniture set. Either way, you’ll want to find chairs that are comfortable, durable, and long-lasting. Some of the patio chairs will contain cushions that might get wet when the weather turns quite nasty. Wet weather and moisture may ruin the fabric. Alternatively, you can go for folding patio chairs that will be easy to fold in and out. Of course, you’ll need to remember to put them away when you are done sitting. You never know what Mother Nature will dish out the next day.
Hammock
Ah yes. There is nothing more relaxing than laying on a hammock. You can choose one that you can attach to a couple of trees (assuming they are large enough to support your weight). Alternatively, you can purchase a hammock that comes with a base that you can assemble and disassemble easily. This will make your backyard more relaxing and a sanctuary where you can relax after a long, busy day. It will also make for a great place to relax on a lazy weekend. You have the option of leaving the hammock behind when it comes time to sell the home and move on. It might be an appealing feature for a new homeowner to appreciate.
New Sink (Farmhouse or Stainless Steel)
Enough of the outdoor ideas. Let’s take this indoors. Have you considered the idea of replacing the kitchen sink? Well, there are plenty of options where you can choose from. But of the two, there are two sinks that are worth looking at are farmhouse or stainless steel.
What’s the difference between the two? Farmhouse sinks tend to be wider and deeper compared to standard sinks. And here’s a plot twist: there are farmhouse sinks that are made of stainless steel. But what if you don’t want something that’s larger in size? No problem. You can go for a standard size stainless steel sink. If you are considering the idea of replacing the sink, you may want to consider your measurements first before making a decision. You might not opt for a farmhouse sink unless you have a spacious amount of room in your kitchen (or planning a major renovation project).
Safe
You’re probably asking why a safe is necessary for your home. And why is it an idea to make your home more comfortable? Well, the better your security the more confident you’ll feel. And that can not only make you feel more comfortable in mind so you can stress less about the “what-ifs”. Yes, burglaries happen on a regular basis. And it’s important to keep your valuables safe and away from the eyes of thieves. You can find safes that are small and concealable in spaces such as closets. Alternatively, you can go for something that can be larger in size. Either way, having a safe with the intent of keeping valuables and even firearms (if you own them) safe and secure is a must for almost every home.
Smart Locks
These days, smart locks tend to be a more reliable options thanks to the currently existing technology. You can unlock and lock your doors with a touch of a button on your smartphone. Not only will it give you a sense of security, but it will also give you peace of mind in knowing that you can be able to control the locks from anywhere at any time. And you can also keep unwanted guests out, whether you are home or not.
Most smart locks will be accessible by an app on your phone. Others will come with full-fledged security systems like cameras. Yes, it can increase the home value. And they are more trustworthy compared to standard locks, which can be compromised by a burglar who might have the right kind of lock-picking skills.
Family Pictures
No home can be complete without family photos placed throughout the house. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. So why not turn your comfortable home into one great big storybook? You can place photos anywhere in your home. On the walls, your work desk, on a nightstand, or wherever you desire. All it takes is finding the right amount of frames so you are able to set them on a stand or hang them somewhere.
You can opt for picture frames that will be great for traditional prints or you can upload digital shots to picture frames that support them. Either way, your home will feel like the most welcoming place on Earth with photos of beautiful memories that were made by you and your family.
What To Consider Before Starting Your Home Project?
While these ideas can become reality right before your eyes, it’s important to consider a few things before starting on this DIY project. Doing home projects is never easy since it requires planning, preparation, and setting a budget. Let’s take a look at a few things that you need to consider:
Quality
One of the things that you should never compromise on is quality. Especially when you want to save a few dollars. If you go down that route, the quality might be poor and nothing will last long because of it. And as a result, you’ll keep throwing more money away. If you are on a budget, it’s important to consider finding the best quality that you can afford.
Indoors, Outdoors, or Both?
Planning is essential when it comes to making your home more comfortable. And we have provided you ideas that are both outdoor and indoor improvements. Do you want to do just the outdoors or indoors? Or do you want to go all out and do both? Take a look around the house and carefully determine whether or not you want to make one part of the home look better than ever before.
Budget
Setting a budget will help you figure out how much you’ll want to spend on your project. Needless to say, it won’t be necessary to splurge on a project like this. You want to set a budget and keep it within your means. You can get a project done within a certain price range. However, it will depend on the scale of the project. If you are going the outdoor or indoor only route, the budget will likely be smaller. But if you are focusing on the entire home, obviously you will be planning on spending more.
Also, there might be some other expenses to consider. If you are looking to replace your sink, you may have the option of having it professionally installed. Aside from the sink, you may also have a professional install your retractable patio awning. Other than that, most of the other ideas don’t require any professional or complex installations.
How Much Space Do You Have?
You’ll need to be making quite a lot of measurements if your home improvement project will be on a large scale. If it’s either an indoor or outdoor only project, all you need are a few measurements depending on what you are installing. Be sure to take notes since you’ll need them for when the time comes to buy the things you need for your home. Keep in mind that you may be purchasing something that is sold by the measurement (i.e.-- per square inch) depending on the project.
Timing
Will this be a short project that will take a day? Or will it be a more lengthy project? It all depends on what the plan is. Naturally, larger-scale projects will take time whereas something small and simple as installing a new patio with the furniture included could take a week or less (depending on your schedule).
Why Should You Consider Making Your Home More Comfortable?
There are a few reasons why you might want to make your home more comfortable. Let’s take a look at the list below and further explain these reasons:
1. Increase The Value Of Your Home
If you are considering the idea of purchasing a new home over the course of the next couple of years, it would be wise to get started on putting together a project. It doesn’t have to be anything large scale. But it can be enough to boost the value of your home. That way, when the time comes to sell it you can get more money out of the deal than compared to what you get if you do nothing at all. It’s definitely worth the investment in improving the home when you want more money. And it will leave a lasting impression on the new homeowners as well.
2. For Your Own Personal Tastes and Comfort
What if you don’t plan on selling the home? Maybe you’ll stay there for as long as possible. You can make your home more comfortable just because you want to. And it should fit your own personal tastes and preferences. Imagine walking through the front door, looking around, and being proud of living in a place that you call home.
3. It May Be Time To Renovate
Maybe the home isn’t as modernized compared to others. If that’s the case, you can start off by adding appliances and furniture that will make it more comfortable. It can also be a jumpstart on a renovation project that can take a long time and requires a large sum of money to invest in. Just getting a lot done just for the sake of making it more comfortable will at least get half the work out of the way.
4. Inspiration Struck You
This may sound kind of strange. But have you ever visited someone’s home and were quite impressed with what they had for a setup? It might strike some kind of inspiration to do a project to make your home look quite comfortable. You’re not doing it to “keep up” with someone. But you might be inspired to make some changes that will make your home feel more like…well, home.
What Should You Do Now?
Having a hard time figuring out where to start? That’s understandable. Every project does have a starting point. So it’s important to do the following:
1. Take A Look Around The House
Nothing will inspire you to make some mental notes and gather a few ideas like walking around your house. Check out every nook and cranny of your house and think about what you might want to work on in order to make your home more comfortable. Once you’ve looked around inside, get a glance at your outdoor area. What would make it look better? A new patio? A new gazebo? Do you have enough space?
Be sure to take notes of any ideas that may pop up in your head. Are you planning on doing some repainting? Make a note of it. Are you looking to replace the carpet in your living room? Consider your options for what you want to choose for new carpet or flooring. When it comes to making your home more comfortable, the possibilities are endless no matter how small or large the project is.
2. Determine The Scale Of Your Project
This is where you want to decide what you want to do. It can be something simple that can be done in a weekend or something that’s long term. If you are more of a do-it-yourself kind of person, this is an important step that you don’t want to skip.
3. Do Some Research Online
Now that you’ve got an idea of what your project is, you can do some research online on some tips that you might find valuable. If you are building a patio, research some tips on how it should stand out. At some point, you’re going to need some furniture to make it stand out a bit more. Find out which furniture might be the best for your personal preferences and comfort.
There are some ideas that you might have found useful in the list above to where it may require some kind of installation like smart locks. Follow an install tutorial on YouTube if you want to follow along step by step so you don’t have to worry about struggling.
Also, there might be some customer reviews you can watch (or even read) if you have your eye on a certain item like patio furniture or safes. There will be a mix of positive and negative reviews. It’s up to you to use your better judgment and make the final decision.
You’d be quite surprised by the many tips, ideas, and everything in between that you’ll come across online when it comes to making your home more comfortable. After all, isn’t it how you found this article anyway?
4. See What Options Are Available Near You Or Online
If your project is something that can be buildable, you might try your hand at building it yourself. But if you are not the builder type, you can consider options that are already assembled or built. One such example is the gazebos. Gazebos can be built from scratch while others can be purchased and already built to perfection. Keep in mind the financial implications. It would be cheaper to build something buy yourself as opposed to purchasing something that is already built for you.
You can look for something online or at a local retail or hardware store near you.
5. Take Stock Of What You May Need
If you decide to go the “do-it-yourself” route, it might be a good idea to take stock of any tools or building materials you may need. A great place to start would be your local hardware stores. You can be able to take a look at what you need and the price you’ll need to pay. It’s another reason why having a set budget is a good idea rather than flying blind with no idea of what you are planning to spend.
6. Get Started
You’ve got what you needed. Now it’s time to get to work. You might be able to do the project yourself or have a few extra hands. The work will be hard, but the rewards are surely fulfilling once you have completed the work.
Tips To Consider When Doing Your Home Project
While making your home a lot more comfortable can be a project of any scale, it’s a good idea to follow some of the tips below to maximize your results. Here are some things we recommend you do around the house before making it more comfortable:
1. Declutter
Needless to say, clutter and a lack of space can make a home look uncomfortable. There are plenty of ways to declutter the home and make it more comfortable. Here are just a few things you can consider:
2. Make Some Repairs Or Replacements If They Are Needed
While doing your once over of the house from the inside and out, it’s important to spot some potential problems that may lead you to make repairs or replacements. Here are some things to look out for:
3. Paint It If You Must
This applies if you are looking to make it more comfortable from the inside. You can choose a color that will best suit the mood and comfort levels so it looks warm and inviting. If you’re not that great at choosing colors, you can always ask for help by researching online or visiting your local hardware or paint store for suggestions.
Frequently Asked Questions
The following is a list of frequently asked questions that you can use as a guide. This should help you make the determination of how you can go about with your project. Here are the following questions:
How Much Does It Cost to Build a 12x12 Gazebo?
Building a gazebo will come with a price tag depending on the size. For example, if the gazebo you plan on building is measured at 12x12, expect the cost to range anywhere between $3000 to $7500.
Should I Build My Patio in the Front or the Back?
Typically, a patio should be built in the back area of the some. Not only would it be a good place to relax, but it can also serve as a service entrance for your home.
How Big Should a Patio Umbrella Be?
A patio umbrella should cover two feet of either side of the table that you’re using. For example, if your patio table is measured at 4 feet, the diameter of the patio umbrella should be measured at 8 feet.
Do Smart Locks Require a Hub?
Yes. Despite some brands telling you that you don’t need one, there are smart locks that won’t maximize their full potential without a fully functional hub. Most smart lock systems will include a hub.
Are Retractable Awnings Good in the Rain?
Retractable awnings were designed for the purpose of sun protection. Regardless if there is a waterproof application included, it would be wide to not deploy the awning on days when it’s windy or raining heavily. If the rainfall is light, you can leave the awning deployed without risking any sustained damage.
Final Thoughts
Making your home more comfortable can be a project that can last you a week or longer. It all depends on the ideas you want to put to good use. You can use the list of suggested ideas above or come up with your own. It’s important to think of the end goal in mind when doing projects that will make a home look more comfortable than ever.
Whether it’s a small scale project like building a patio or going through the entire home, there is no project that is more rewarding and fulfilling than making it more comfortable. When you walk through the door every time you come home, you’ll feel a sense of pride knowing that you own a come that looks so good you never want to leave.
