2013 is the year for home improvements and a time for new ideas and fresh starts. Whereas in previous years people were spending money on renovations in order to sell their properties and make a buck or two, nowadays with the state of the economy people are spending money on home improvements and renovations which will make their life easier, save them money in the long run, and not be detrimental to the environment. They’re looking to stay in their property for longer, so figure they may as well make the most of it.

Going Green

It’s fair to say that the idea of going green is snowballing especially since people now realise they can reduce their carbon footprint and save money at the same time. When it comes to improving your home and saving money, it’s all about being energy efficient. An easy place to start is by replacing standard light bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs). Using 65% less energy and lasting 10 times longer than a standard bulb, the savings are clear to see. Another easy way of saving energy is to make sure your house is well insulated, cutting back on heat loss and saving you money on your heating bills. The kitchen is also a good area where energy can be saved and the environment can be helped. Instead of looking tobuy kitchen cabinets and putting the old ones in a landfill, why not look at refinishing your existing cabinets, or give them a lick of paint and change the hardware for new kitchen cabinets that will change the look of your kitchen completely. If you’re replacing appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, stoves, refrigerators then look for energy efficiency star rated models.

Less Maintenance

With people leading hectic lifestyles, for many there’s just not time to carry out repairs or do regular maintenance on the home. One current home trend is to use less wood which requires regular maintenance to keep it looking attractive and pristine. Homeowners are starting to choose vinyl fencing, fiber or vinyl cement siding and other alternative materials. Low maintenance yards are another home improvement trend and include smaller or fewer areas which are landscaped and replacing the lawn with native plants.  Not only does this cut back on the time spent keeping them tidy, but also means less water is used on maintaining the lawn which again saves money.

Functionality

Homeowners are also looking for ways to make their homes function better and be more practical for the way they live their lives. The trend that is continuing to grow is for open plan living which combines cooking, eating and living into one large space. Not only are people spending more time in their kitchens but they also don’t want to be cut off from the rest of their rooms.

Finally, homeowners are looking to make improvements which take in account their needs for the future, particularly aging, whether for themselves or family members. This includes things such as barrier free showers, walk in bath tubs and wider doorways which can accommodate wheelchairs.

Author Bio: The author is an Interior designer and has been writing on home improvement ideas from couple of years. The author holds an expertise in Home improvement projects and works as a product advisor for the RTA store.