If you spend a significant amount of time at home, you may not notice everyday wear and tear around the house.  Our standards may slip over time, and household repairs can fall by the wayside.

If your home is starting to show signs of aging or neglect, we have six ways you can freshen up your home.  From simple tasks you can do, to bigger projects best handled by the pros, there's definitely something you can do to get the most out of your home.

Six Ways To Freshen Up Your Home

​Give It A Good Spring Cleaning

There's not a house on planet Earth that can't be spruced up a bit with a good spring cleaning.  While we should always strive to wipe down busy surfaces like tables and countertops on the daily (and sweep floors and vacuum carpets on the reg), giving your home a thorough deep cleaning can help to eliminate germs and toxins you might not otherwise notice.  We all know that mold grows in damp areas like the bathroom, but did you also know that rotavirus and enterococcus live on toilet handles?

Think about getting help from a professional cleaning service such as ServiceMaster to really get your home back up to scratch and give it a good deep cleaning this spring.
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Create A Patio

This is a great DIY project that can be completed over the course of a weekend, and can add a little value to any home. A basic 10 x 10 brick or flagstone patio (installed on a level surface, of course) will cost roughly $800 - $2,500, depending on the materials you use and equipment you'd need to rent (such as a plate compactor).   The ROI?  About 50%, which isn't too bad for such an inexpensive home improvement.  We love this video from This Old House, that shows you how to lay a brick patio, and includes a shopping list and tools needed:

​Upgrade Your Windows

If you live in a colder climate and have windows that are old, poorly insulated and / or in bad shape, replacing them might just be what you need to give your home a fresh new look.  Not only can new windows help give your home a facelift, you will also reap the savings when it comes to your energy bill.  For example, look for windows with Low-E glass, which helps to keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.  According to the EPA, new double pane windows that are Energy Star certified can save as much as $125 - $465 per year on your energy costs.  Shop around for a dealer that can provide you with a free estimate to see if you can afford to benefit from new windows this year.

Create More Space

Freeing up space in your home is a great way to freshen it up, and goes hand in hand with spring cleaning.  In addition to decluttering,  organizing your home helps to create good feng shui.

• In the entry, eliminate unsightly clutter and help with the flow of chi by designating a bench with hooks and storage underneath for coats, shoes, backpacks and bags. 
• Help to create a functional kitchen space by installing vertical wall shelves for storage, and use attractive baskets and clear containers for pantry items, which help to hide (and eliminate) half empty bags and boxes of food, like cereal, rice and other pantry staples.
• If you have small-ish rooms in your house (like the bathroom), consider swapping out traditional doors for pocket doors.
• Add extra coat hooks in the bathroom for hanging towels and bathrobes, bath scrubbies and other items.
• In the living room, make use of a storage ottoman for storing extra pillows and blankets.

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Care For Your Outdoor Spaces, Too

Focusing a bit of energy on our exteriors can be a wonderful way to get more out of our homes. After all, the curb appeal of our home's exterior is a direct reflection of its interior. Simply keeping the lawn trimmed is a step in that direction! Here's three ideas for freshening up the look of your outdoor space:

• Plant ornamental evergreens, like boxwoods.  These shrubs are easy to maintain and retain their color year round.
• Topiaries, whether real or faux, make an appealing addition to your front porch.
• If your home is lacking a storage shed and you have the room, consider purchasing one that complements your home's exterior.  If you're handy and like DIY projects, build your own shed with something like this 12X12 Gable storage shed plan.
• Upgrade the lighting around your property by installing new sconces around your front entry, and attractive solar powered pathway lights.  

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A Fresh Coat Of Paint

No post with tips on how to freshen up a home would be complete without the suggestion of changing up paint colors.  Painting is the go-to solution for changing the look and feel of any room.   While the selection of paint color is completely subjective, there are a few general recommendations for applications when it comes to paint finishes.  These finishes include flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss and high-gloss.

• Flat:  Only available in latex, flat is best for walls and ceilings.  Flat is not one of our favorite finishes, because it's tough to maintain and it's just, well, blah.  Probably best for a laundry room or other low-traffic area.
• Eggshell:  A low-luster finish that, one again, is not a fave of ours.  Fine for adult bedrooms or walls that don't get touched a lot.
• Satin:  The most popular of paint finishes, satin lends a bit of a sheen and is easier to clean than flat or eggshell.  Great for all sorts of applications, except perhaps a child's room.  It's cleanable, sure, but definitely not scrubbable.
• Semi-gloss:  Winner, winner, chicken dinner--this is our favorite of all the finishes.  It's got a subtle shine and works great in high traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms.  We love it for kids' rooms because it's easier to clean and maintain.
• High-gloss:  We love it for trim, but it works great for any application, especially where there's high traffic.  Easy to clean and scrub.  Use it in the kitchen for best results.

Spruce up your home for spring with these easy decor ideas from apartmentguide.com:

Infographic courtesy of apartmentguide.com

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