I am sure you have seen those beautiful home pictures in all the magazines.  You know, the one that makes you wish you lived there or makes you wonder if your home could look half as good.  Well, check out my list below of 10 practical things you can do to improve the quality and value of your home without breaking the bank.

1. Work on your kitchen

The Kitchen is the heart of the home.  Where the family come together and those extraordinary delicious meals are made.  Give it the uplift it needs.  If the cabinets are looking a bit drab, why not unscrew the doors and have them painted and screwed back on.  You can do this yourself or get a carpenter to spray paint for a more professional look.  White, Red, Blue or Pink. This gives your kitchen a quick face-lift and makes it look and feel like new.

2. Clean up your Bathroom

A bathroom can be a place of tranquillity if it looks nice.  A simple change of the toilet seat and the sink pedestal can make all the difference.  Also, consider cleaning the tiles or re-grouting the tiles for a fresher look.  The bath, sink and toilet can be cleaned with a mixture of bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar.  These items can be found in most supermarkets and the combination is a dirt shifter.  Also, finish it off with candles, soaps and essential oils to decorate the room.

3. Get rid of Clutter

A lot of us like to keep everything we have ever owned.  Unfortunately, this simply leads to clutter and junk scattered around our home.  Be honest with yourself on things you will not need again and throw it out or give it away.  Also consider clothes you no longer fit into or will no longer wear.  Tidy up your wardrobe to reveal a cleaner tidier home.  Use the same technique in the kitchen and other rooms to free up space for more eye-catching beautiful decorative pieces.

4. Windows

An airy room has a certain freshness to it.  Make it a habit to open up your curtains and blinds daily to let the light in.  And open up your windows too, weather-permitting, to get some fresh air in.   I always find that natural light helps me to think and be creative.

5. Wires and Cables

All you have to do is look around your TV and computer and you know what I’m talking about.  Besides it being an eyesore having tons of wires and cables gathered together gathering dust, it is also a hazard.  Get an electrician if you can’t tidy this up yourself. Long cables can be replaced with shorter ones or tied up to look neater and more organised.

6. Carpets and Floor tiles

If you have carpets in your home, make sure you give them a good cleaning.  It does not look good if you have a yellow carpet but it is now brown.  If you have tiles, keep them clean and well grouted.   If you have light tiles, use a white grouting, and if you have dark tiles, use dark grouting.  You can also accentuate key tiled or wooden floor areas with a rug.  For example, a rug under the coffee table or a runner in the hallway.

7. Lighting

Light makes such a difference to your home.  Use energy saving bulbs were you can.   As well as consuming less power, these are brighter and they give your home a fresh look.  Alternatively, if you prefer not to have the room so bright, try lamps in strategic places.  For example, table lamps on the dining room cabinet, or standing lamps in the corner of the sitting room.  These also help to create mood lighting.

8. Flowers

I cannot underestimate the power of flowers.  When a man gives a woman flowers, it evokes a certain feeling from within.  Wouldn’t you want to have this feeling all day in your home?  A simple vase with fresh flowers on the dining table says that you care about your living space.  These don not have to be the expensive imported kind.  Local flowers from your garden will do. Something with a bit of colour framed with some nicely cut green palm leaves speaks volumes.

9. Candles and Fragrances

My love of candles is getting to be an addiction.  But I believe that your space shouldn’t only look nice but it should also smell nice.  So if it is candles, diffusers or burning oils that takes your fancy, add this to your home to add freshness to the air and character to the environment.

10. Front door

Set the tone with an attractive front door display.  Again, a potted plant or a few in different sizes by the front door adds colour and character to your home, and it very inviting for guests.  Make sure your front door is kept clean, and the area is well lit.  You can choose to have a welcome mat, or a picture frame attached to the door with any welcoming message of your choice.

I hope these simple and cost effective tips help to spruce up your home.  In just a few steps, you too can have a picture perfect home.