As a follow-up to last week’s column about ways to beat the heat where I shared with you tips from Houselogic.com on how smart homeowners focus their energies inside. Contributing writer Kelly Walters shares these four tasks that include taking advantage of your nice, cool basement.
Organize the Basement. The two most common types of clutter? Old clothes and seasonal items. Just the kind of stuff that winds up in the basement. So this month, face your messy basement head on. Not only will you regain space, but you'll also save time and could even knock back clutter-related depression.
(Yeah, that's a thing.) Now that you've got it organized, maybe it's a good time to consider this next project – finish the basement.
Finish the Basement. The solution to a cramped house could be right under your feet. Transforming an unfinished basement into a media room, home office — or even a rentable space — builds equity, upping your home's resale value. Start this project now, and you can kick back and enjoy your new space all winter long.
Buy Paint on Sale. Although paint savings can be the steepest during the off-peak painting seasons of fall and winter, you can still find savings in July. Experts disagree over the best time of year to paint. Some recommend painting in the summer as long as the weather is warm, not hot, and the humidity is low. A bonus: You can work indoors and stay comfortable. You can always stock up now and be ready for that painting project later. (P.S. Latex and acrylic paint can last up to 10 years; oil-based, up to 15.)
Hit Up Recycling Centers. Summer is home improvement season. That also makes it the savvy buyer's time to seek out deals at recycling centers and home improvement resale stores. Since this is project time — not to mention moving season — lots of folks are ditching their old stuff. Take advantage and grab it up at super-low prices.
If you don’t have a basement or already have it finished and usable, you can use these tips for other rooms. Stay cool inside and organize other spaces—the proverbial kitchen junk drawer, linen closet, or bathroom cabinets. Ask yourself when the last time you used certain items. Or perhaps you have medicine and sunscreen that is expired. Toss them. If you’re holding on to items that you “might use one day,” yet they’re always in the way of items you use now, consider donating those items.
Anytime I tidy up a space or pay it forward by donating unused items, I have a more appreciated outlook on what remains. And there’s nothing better than alleviating ourselves of the emotional weight clutter brings and prevents us from feeling comfortable in our own home. As I encouraged last week, spend time indoors to make your home a sanctuary from the summer heat. Stay hydrated, cool, and enjoy a breezy, comfortable summer indoors! That's Who We R.