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Bringing little luxuries into your home can elevate your space and daily living far more than you might expect. You already work hard to keep your home decluttered and well decorated, so make certain that your home truly feels like an inviting oasis by adding a few items to take your home to the next level. Youll wonder why you didnt spring for these affordable luxuries sooner.

Kitchen Faucet With a Pull Down Sprayer
Cleaning your dishes is always a chore, but a new faucet with a pull-down sprayer could be just what you need to stop dreading doing the dishes. New spray faucets have an industrial design and a lot more power than the spray nozzles of old. As an added bonus, a new faucet can lend a modern look to your current kitchen aesthetic.

Robot Vacuum
A robot vacuum is the perfect investment for the homeowner on the go. If your busy life prevents you from keeping your home clean as well or as often as you would like, there are few things more soothing than arriving home to find that your home is spic-and-span. A good robot vacuum can remove dust and dirt throughout your home without you needing to lift a finger…talk about a feeling of luxury. With a range of prices depending on their features, youre likely to find one that will fit within your budget and lifestyle.

New Artwork
Just like fresh flowers, new artwork can elevate your space and bring life and a pop of color into your home. Whether you opt to frame a large family photo or go on the hunt for a painting that fits your style, there are many tricks to keep artwork affordable while having a big impact on the aesthetic of your home. Estate sales, yard sales and overstock home stores are an ideal place to find inexpensive artwork. Dont be afraid to find a sale piece just to keep the frame. This can be an inexpensive way to frame your favorite painting or photo.

Dual Shower Head
You probably know that a good shower head can make all the difference in your morning routine, but a dual shower head can offer additional benefits. The top showerhead can provide a relaxing stream of water for a tall adults shower needs, while the bottom spray shower head is ideal for a childs shower or to rinse a pet during bathtime. Alternatively, for added luxury during your shower, both heads can be used at once.

Affordable upgrades for your home can have a large impact on your comfort and dont have to empty your pocketbook.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

The following characteristics will help you design a swoon-worthy farmhouse kitchen.

Stone and Wood

Natural materials, especially stone and wood, are always at the center of the farmhouse style.

Open Shelving

Both fashionable and functional, hang pans from a ceiling rack and use a magnetic strip to keep your knives handy.

Copper Accents

Wherever its implemented, copper adds a metallic touch thats in tune with the rustic ambiance.

Reclaimed Materials

A farmhouse kitchen should feel like its been lived in. Reclaimed materials give your kitchen a distinguished character that comes with age.

Appropriate Appliances

Stainless steel is popular in a rustic cooking space, as it works well with the overall aesthetic.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Renovations can be expensive, even for seemingly simple projects. If youre thinking about making some home improvements, it may be tempting to try to keep the costs as low as possible, but spending a significant amount of money up front could result in much larger long-term savings.

Make Home Improvements That Will Lower Your Heating and Cooling Bills
Utility bills are among the largest expenses for homeowners, aside from a mortgage. If your house has drafts, replacing the windows and/or siding may solve the problem. Each of these projects would be expensive, but you could save a bundle on your heating and cooling bills throughout the year.

If your remodeling project will involve removing an outside wall to build an addition or to change the layout of a room, that could be an opportunity to make your home more energy efficient. The contractors should install insulation, but you could pay more to have them install extra. That would help keep your utility bills under control, especially in an area where it gets cold in the winter. You could also ask the contractors to install more insulation in the attic, basement and crawlspace.

Controlling the temperature in your home could cut your utility bills. A programmable thermostat is a simple solution that would quickly pay for itself. You could program it to keep the house cooler in the winter and warmer in the summer when no one is home, and then automatically adjust to get the house to a more comfortable temperature before you return.

Look for Ways to Reduce Your Energy and Water Usage
If youre planning to remodel your kitchen, you may be thinking about replacing some of the appliances. This is a perfect opportunity to save money on energy costs. A new ENERGY STAR refrigerator, stove or dishwasher could use less energy than the models you currently have.

A more efficient dishwasher could also use less water than your old model, which could result in significant savings, especially if your family runs the dishwasher several times a week. You can look for other ways to lower your water bills, such as installing a more efficient water heater. Insulating pipes could save you money since you would not waste water by letting it run to heat up.

Think About the Big Picture
Products with a higher price tag tend to be of higher quality, and when it comes to appliances and building materials, they can make your home more energy efficient and save you money in the long run. If you plan to stay in your house for several years, these improvements could pay for themselves and could also increase your homes future resale value.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Garage doors can experience wear and tear from years of daily use. Parts can eventually wear out, which can create safety hazards and security risks. At some point, replacing a garage door makes more sense than repairing it.

When to Consider Buying a New Garage Door
An automatic garage door should start to move up and down without hesitation when you press a button or enter a code. If you notice a delayed response, if the door moves slowly or if it makes a loud or unusual noise, it may need to be repaired or replaced. A technician can diagnose the problem and help you decide what to do.

Sensors can detect a person, an animal or an object in a garage doors path and make it stop automatically. If your garage door doesnt stop when something is blocking it, its a safety hazard. It may be time to replace the door to protect your children and pets from injuries.

A garage door that doesnt close completely is a security risk. A burglar could break into the garage and steal your belongings or get into your house if you have an attached garage. A wild animal could also get into the garage and wreak havoc.

Garage doors can become scratched and dented from minor accidents and exposure to harsh weather, blowing debris and animals. A damaged garage door can detract from a homes appearance, but a new door can instantly increase your curb appeal.

A garage door with insufficient insulation or failing weather stripping can let cold air into your house in the winter and let cooled air escape in the summer. If you have noticed that your utility bills have gone up and you arent sure why, your garage door may be to blame. A well-insulated garage could make your home more energy efficient and lower your utility bills. Keeping the temperature inside the garage in a comfortable range could also allow you to work on vehicle maintenance or a hobby regardless of the weather.

If you live in an area that is prone to hurricanes or tornadoes, strong winds could damage the garage door and cause a pressure buildup inside the house. That could damage the roof and walls, and could even blow the roof off completely. A garage door with a high wind load could reduce the risk of that happening.

If you plan to sell your home, installing a new garage door may be one of the easiest ways to spruce up its appearance. It can also provide a higher return on investment than many other home improvement projects.

How to Choose a New Garage Door
Garage doors are available in a wide array of colors, styles and materials. Some have windows and others do not. You can choose a garage door to complement the rest of your house and instantly improve its appearance. Contact a local company to learn about your options and to compare features and prices.

Published with permission from RISMedia.