Do you want to upgrade the safety, security, aesthetics, practicality, and energy efficiency of your home? Who doesn’t? But the silver lining to this perennial dilemma is that you can do all those things without having to move, add extra rooms, replace the roof, or turn your whole daily routine inside-out. Here are five ideas for ramping up the overall lifestyle quotient of your living space.
Add All-Around Surveillance Cameras
Less than a decade ago, placing a half-dozen surveillance cameras around the perimeter of your propertywould set you back a serious sum of money. Not anymore. Prices for all kinds of cams have come way down even as picture quality has gone up. That’s good news for consumers because it means you can enjoy a much more secure lifestyle for a reasonable cost. Plus, it’s possible to do all the technical setup work without hiring a professional. If you opt for the full James Bond camera arrangement, in which all exterior zones of your property are covered, consider investing in a high-resolution monitor. Throw in a dozen or so motion-activated spot lights, and your house will that much safer.
Install a Home Elevator
A home elevatoradds a significant amount of class, safety, security, and monetary value to any home. It’s one of the few lifestyle enhancements that virtually pays for itself in terms of ramping up the potential selling price of your property. In addition to the obvious convenience factor, an in-home elevator adds a ton of upscale ambiance to any space. Many newer homes come with elevators already installed, and owners of older houses often choose to add one to boost property value. These ultimate household devices are whisper quiet, look fantastic, and truly make a statement about how much value a comfortable, attractive living space.
Get a Supply Shed
Small supply sheds are inexpensive, easy to assemble, serve multiple functions, and add to the overall look of an otherwise plain backyard. They’re great at keeping yard clutter like rakes, lawn-mowers, and pool items sequestered during the off-season. Plus, with a little creativity, you can even turn one into a private reading room or greenhouse.
Use a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats, also called smart thermostats, are one of the low-cost wonders of the modern scientific era. They cost less than a tank of gasoline and can turn your living spaceinto a temperature-controlled zone of comfort and energy efficiency. You’ll never have to check the thermostat again on hot summer days or cold winter nights because these little devices act as a permanent temperature brain for your entire house. You only need to set them once and include your personalized, detailed instructions on when the AC or heat should come on, when it should go off, and more. After that, the stat follows your orders to the letter, until you tell it to do otherwise.
Get LED Lights for Every Socket
Replace all your household bulbs with super-efficient LED bulbs. They cost more initially but save you a huge amount of money in the long run. That’s because they last longer, burn brighter, and use far less electricity than their rivals.
