The Best Upgrades for a Healthier Home
Ready For A Healthier Home? Here's How You Can Get It!
There are lots of great reasons to invest in home improvements. Modern upgrades increase your home’s value; plus, you get the functionality and style you’ve always wanted. Along with the most obvious reasons for remodeling, there’s another reason that should be at the top of your list: making home upgrades can improve your health! These can be small projects you do yourself or major renovations that are designed to maximize your health and well-being.
Paying for Your Project
Upgrading your home is a smart investment, but just like any other investment, you’ll need a plan for how to pay for it. Any homeowner should aim to have enough savings for maintenance and minor projects, but for major remodeling projects, you may need to explore other options, such as a home equity loan. To determine how much equity you have, start by calculating your home’s current market value, then subtract your mortgage balance. This is the amount you can access through a home equity loan, and making this calculation is a good starting point.
Setting a Budget
Before taking on any home improvements, you need a plan for your project, which includes setting a budget. The cost of home renovations varies widely and depends on several factors, including whether you DIY or hire a pro and whether it’s a small project or you’re remodeling an entire room (or more). For example, Mint reports that deck additions cost around $9,327, on average, whereas a bigger renovation like converting a basement can run you around $61,303.
Finding and Hiring Pros
Considering these factors, the most important thing is to find a contractor who can work within your budget while also delivering the quality you expect. Before hiring any contractor, HGTV recommends making sure the company meets certain standards, such as having the necessary credentials and experience. If you don’t know where to start, 3Rs Construction & Remodeling has you covered for any remodeling, remediation, or repair work. As a general contractor, they can coordinate your entire project from the first visit to the final clean-up.
Picking a Project
When it comes to making home improvements that benefit your health, the potential is limitless, but these are a few of our favorite healthy home upgrades to make.
1. Add Outdoor Living Space
Outdoor space is a natural extension of our homes and taking full advantage of it, is one of the best ways to improve your health. You may want to enhance your outdoor space by adding an outdoor kitchen, patio or deck, a pergola, or a SHE or HE shed. These projects are perfect for summertime, and the result is a boost to your physical and mental well-being through time spent relaxing (or being more active) in the fresh air. As an added bonus, outdoor projects improve curb appeal, which is especially important whenever you decide to sell.
2. Get Organized
Organization may sound like it’s all about appearances, but having a more organized home actually improves your health in practical ways. For example, adding storage in your kitchen makes it easier to prepare healthy meals, and creating an organized entryway keeps clutter and dirt from spreading throughout the house. Not to mention, keeping clutter out of sight is a huge stress buster, so you’ll feel the benefits of storage in your mental health too!
3. Say Goodbye to Allergens
The biggest culprits for allergens at home are fabrics, carpets, and any space where moisture is a problem. One solution is to replace wall-to-wall carpeting with a hard surface material like hardwood or tile floors. Another solution is to tackle mold in the bathroom. Depending on your space, you may be able to do this with small projects like adding caulk and ventilation, or you may be better off doing a complete bathroom remodel.
4. Optimize Your Bedroom for Healthier Sleep
Improving your bedroom hygiene can help your health. Your lighting, flooring, and bedding can play a big part to support your sleep. Cleaning surfaces and washing sheets can help keep you allergen free. Read the Ultimate Bedroom Hygiene Guide for tips!
Of course, remodeling your bathroom also gives you a fresh space to relax and unwind. If you’ve done any home remodeling before, you know how satisfying it is to see the finished product. And with these upgrades, you’ll get more than just a beautiful space — you’ll also feel the effects of a healthier home for years to come.
Call 3Rs Construction to schedule an appointment, 503-363-1059, or use our convenient contact page.
3Rs serves Salem, Oregon and the communities nearby in the Willamette Valley.
Guest Blog from Natalie Jones of homeownerbliss.info.