Category Archives: Kaya Wittenburg

How Do You Calculate Rental Property Depreciation?

If you own property, you need to know about the guidelines for rental property depreciation when it comes time to file your taxes.

Whether you’re new to the rental business or you’ve owned and rented out property for years, it’s crucial to keep on top of the depreciation rules.

Read on to learn more about rental property depreciation and how you can calculate it so you’re always on top of your game.

Rental Property Depreciation Basics

When you’re filing taxes and adding deductions, the one for property depreciation works differently than other forms of deductions. The term depreciation refers to the process you use to deduct the cost of buying and then improving your property.

Instead of taking a single large deduction in the year you’ve purchased or improved your property, the process of depreciation distributes the deduction across its useful life. The IRS has very stringent rules regarding depreciation, so it’s crucial to understand how it works.

There are a few main requirements that the IRS will use for the depreciation of rental property. First, you must be the owner of the property. This applies even if you’re still paying for it, such as owing on a mortgage.

Second, you must use your property in your business, or as an income-producing property such as renting it out to tenants. The property that you own has what’s called a “determinable useful life.” This means it can wear out, become obsolete over time, or go down in value.

Finally, you can use rental property depreciation as long as your property is expected to last or be used for income for more than one year. If your property is no longer being used for income, you cannot use it for depreciation purposes on your taxes.

Making Improvements

When you make major improvements to your rental property, the cost you incur can be deducted over time. These improvements can be anything from installing a new roof to adding a new HVAC system.

Make sure you check the current IRS guidelines to find out which improvements can be deducted for your rental property depreciation. Some items, such as landscaping, will not qualify since this is an improvement to the land and cannot be deducted on your taxes.

If you replace the entire roof of your property and use quality roofing materials, this can be deducted on your tax return. A roof replacement is a major component of your property, so it’s what the IRS considers a “capital improvement.”

To calculate the depreciation of a new roof, it’s usually depreciated over a recovery period of around 27.5 years. This depreciation is calculated using what’s called a straight-line method that uses a set number of years and divides it by the total cost of the improvement.

A new roof is just one example of something you can do to not only improve your rental property but also to deduct on your tax return each year. Make sure you keep all receipts in case you need them later to prove the cost to the IRS.

Good record-keeping is crucial when it comes to claiming costs for your rental property. Always talk to a professional tax accountant or attorney if you need help filing your taxes after making improvements.

How to Calculate Depreciation

For most of your deductions of improvements to the rental property you own, you’ll use the straight-line method. Currently, the IRS has the recovery period designated at 27.5 years.

So, how would you calculate this on your returns to determine what to deduct each year? First, you’ll need to subtract the value of the land from the actual cost of the building to get the building’s value.

Let’s say your land value is approximately $40,000 and your building cost you $100,000. You’d take $100,000 and subtract $40,000 from it, leaving you with a final building value of $60,000.

Next, you’ll need to divide the newly-calculated building value by 27.5, which will equal the yearly allowable depreciation deduction. This deduction is what you will use each year to claim on your taxes.

If your building value is $60,000, divide it by 27.5 to get a final number of $2,181. This is the amount you can claim each year for the depreciation of the building itself. It’s important to note that if you own a commercial building, the total number of years will be 39 instead of 27.5.

If you’re ever in doubt about how to correctly file your rental property depreciation, there are several calculators and articles online that can help you. You can also talk to a professional who understands the tax nuances involved with owning rental property.

Any improvements you make to your rental can give you a little more money in your pocket at tax time. Just make sure you’re using the correct, most recent calculations so you’re adhering to the IRS guidelines. Always keep records of anything you do to improve your property every year.

Making the Most of Your Rental Property

When it comes to getting more from your rental property, understanding how rental property depreciation works is crucial. This simple calculation will help you file your taxes accurately and give you the best return possible.

When in doubt, always consult the expertise of a CPA or your business tax accountant. They can walk you through the process and ensure that you’re doing everything correctly so you can get the most money back possible.

For more information on property investment, luxury rentals and more, be sure to visit our website today. 

5 Critical Signs You Need HVAC Duct Replacement or Repair

How do you know if you need to repair or replace your home’s ductwork?

We know, you’ve probably not given it much thought, but even the hidden systems in your home, need regular maintenance, and sometimes they need repair.

Today’s post addresses 5 signs your HVAC system uses to let you know you might need HVAC duct replacement. Read more here about the sights, sounds, smells, and the feels associated with your home’s ductwork.

What’s That Smell?

Maybe the odor is nothing new or maybe you only smell it when the HVAC system kicks on. Smells don’t always mean you need to replace your ductwork. They do, however, require investigation.

Keep in mind if you’re turning your furnace on for the first time, or you rarely use it, dust will settle in your ductwork. Turning up the heat burns the dust particles and it doesn’t smell pretty. Don’t worry, the odor will go away!

Moldy odors, on the other hand, need attention. We’re not talking about the smell of moldy food, moldy, musty odors coming from the air vents in your home usually mean you have a problem with mold development inside the ductwork.

Mold leads to poor air quality and, often, respiratory health problems. Since it grows on the inside of your ductwork, you’ll never see it. Instead, you’ll need to schedule an inspection and air duct cleaning to remove the mold.

Odors aren’t the only clue you may need a heating duct replacement. Sometimes listening to your HVAC system signals a need for attention to ductwork.

Healthy Ductwork Does Not Make Noise

If you hear pops, booms, or bangs coming from your ductwork, you may or may not have a problem. 

You’ll most often hear these sounds when the HVAC system turns on and air begins moving through the ductwork. Sometimes homeowners notice an increase in noise after a duct cleaning. That’s because cleaning removes dust and debris, which previously obstructed airflow.

Dirty ductwork can also make banging and popping noises!

The bottom line is if you don’t have dust and debris in your air ducts and they make noise, you may need repair. When correctly installed, ductwork doesn’t make much of a racket.

Popping can happen due to undersized ductwork. Unfortunately, this is an installation issue, but you can have an HVAC technician help remedy the problem by insulating the ducts. Also, sometimes noises come from fluctuation in temperature in the duck joint—an expansion collar could help.

Some people decide they can live with the noise. Others go with replacing old thin metal ductwork with a heavier gauge metal.

You Feel Cold and Hot at the Same Time

No, you’re not coming down with something, you have an HVAC issue. To clarify, we’re not doctors, but usually, when you experience uneven temperatures in your home, it’s not you, it’s the HVAC system.

Before you start shopping for a new system or tearing out ductwork, make sure you’re not blocking airflow to any of the rooms in your home. Open any closed vents or dampers and clear furniture or boxes obstructing vents.

If that doesn’t help balance the temperature, you may have leaky ductwork.

Duct leaks have several causes, some from within the ductwork, and others from the home itself. For example, if you have settling in your foundation or structural damage to your home, your ductwork may develop cracks.

Deterioration of your ductwork due to age is another cause of leaks. Also, the caulk and other sealing materials used to hold the system components together can develop cracks. Poor installation can also lead to leaks.

Regardless of the reason for leaky ductwork, ignoring it only means you’ll continue living with unbalanced temperatures in your home. This is a strong sign it’s time for a repair or replacement.

You Notice Excessive Dust in the Air

Your HVAC system uses air filters to keep dust from entering your airspace. That said, a certain amount of dust in your home is normal. It’s when it gets excessive that you should inspect your system for ductwork issues.

The filter does a great job of keeping your air dust-free, but it can’t completely prevent particle buildup in every part of the HVAC system. If you’ve changed your air filters and still notice excessive dust in the air, especially when the HVAC system turns on, you should schedule a cleaning.

Also, look closely at your return air registers and vent covers. If you see matted or thick coatings of dust, the ductwork needs attention. Check the blower fan and motor in the furnace as well as your air conditioner coil for heavy dust, dirt, and debris.

Besides making you clean more often, dirty ductwork can aggravate allergies, asthma, and other respiratory health conditions.

Your Energy Bill Goes Sky High

If you’re like most homeowners, you watch your energy bill like a hawk eyes prey, just waiting for it to go up. Then, you start monitoring the thermostat and lecturing the family about wasting energy. You bark “go put a sweater on or double up on the socks!”

You might consider your ductwork as the culprit.  Leaks, cracks, and poorly sealed connections in ductwork cause homes to lose 20-30% of the air moving through the system. That means your HVAC system works harder than it should, resulting in higher energy bills.

Of course, ductwork isn’t the only contributor to higher than normal energy bills. You could have a faulty furnace component or need better home insulation. Start with an inspection of your ductwork system and make any necessary repairs, then if needed, you can move on to other energy sappers in your home.

Think You Might Need HVAC Duct Replacement?

We’ve shared 5 signs that indicate the ductwork system in your home needs attention. Whether you require a good cleaning, or you think you may need HVAC duct replacement or repair, don’t wait long to make that phone call! Taking care of ductwork now rather than later could save further damage to your system and should improve your air quality.

If you like this post or want to read more articles about caring for your home, hang out on the blog for a little longer. We’ve put together a range of articles we think you’ll enjoy reading.

Do You Need Homeowners Insurance? 7 Reasons the Answer Is Yes

Buying a house can get expensive, fast. The median home price in the United States comes to about $230,000, but paying to buy the house isn’t the only expense you’ll face.

There are ongoing maintenance costs, unexpected repairs, and monthly expenses to cover. When the unexpected happens, do you have a plan in place to cover those expenses?

If you’re like most people, the thought likely stresses you out. Investing in a homeowners insurance policy can help, but do you need homeowners insurance to really look after your home?

Here are a few reasons that you definitely do.

1. Your Mortgage Company May Require It

When you take out a mortgage, the lending company is essentially investing in your home. That loan covers the cost of your house. You pay the loan amount plus interest in installments every month, but what happens if you can’t make those payments?

Well, the mortgage lender can take possession of the house. Since your house is what effectively backs the loan, your lender wants to protect it from damage.

The best way to do that is with homeowners insurance and they’re legally allowed to require you to buy insurance before you can get the loan in full. If your lender requires home insurance, they’ll tell you how much coverage you need to have and will outline the terms of those requirements in your loan agreement.

Just make sure you understand those requirements before you buy coverage. Buying too little or not buying it at all could get you in trouble with the mortgage lender.

2. Homeowners Insurance Protects You From Liability

Homeowners insurance coverage offers different types of protection, but the most important is liability coverage.

If someone gets injured on your property or another person’s property gets damaged by a tree limb from a tree in your yard, you’re liable for the damages. Depending on the severity of the incident, you could end up paying thousands out of pocket. Worse, you may also have to pay for court fees to reach the settlement.

Homeowner’s insurance helps pay for those damages up to the limits specified by your policy. This includes any court fees or settlements you might get ordered to pay.

3. Helps Pay to Fix Damaged Or Lost Property

Disasters happen all the time. Sometimes, they’re severe storms that damage your roof. Other times, a thief or vandal that steals your belongings and destroys your property. No matter what the cause is, you’re going to have to repair the damage in order for life to get back to normal.

Homeowners insurance helps pay for the damage caused by a qualifying event. In most areas, this includes storm damage, fires, broken pipes, and even theft.

Once you file a claim, your insurance provider will help pay for the cost of repairs and may be able to replace any stolen items even if the police don’t recover your originals. Just remember that the coverage is only good up to the limit of the policy.

Make sure you buy a large enough policy to fully cover the property you want to protect.

4. Protects You While You’re Away

Believe it or not, homeowners insurance doesn’t just protect your house and everything in it. It can protect your belongings while you’re away from home.

If you’re on vacation and something gets stolen, your insurance policy will help pay for the cost of a replacement. You may not be able to get that replacement while you’re away from home, but you won’t have to worry about paying full price after already spending money on a trip!

Every policy has different restrictions on this. You’ll want to review the coverage details before relying on your policy to protect you while you’re out and about.

5. Pays for Medical Treatments

As a homeowner, you’re liable if someone gets injured on your property. That liability goes beyond just court fees and settlements. It also includes medical treatments.

Depending on the severity of the injury, this could cost you thousands of dollars.

With a valid homeowners policy in place, your costs will be far less. Instead of paying the full cost of their medical treatments out of pocket, your insurance provider will help cover the treatment.

If that treatment costs more than the limits of your policy, you’ll only be responsible for the remaining amount.

6. Covers Temporary Lodging

Sometimes, damage to your home can be so extreme that you might not be able to go back to the house until it’s fixed. When this happens, you’re forced to find somewhere else to stay.

Without home insurance, the cost of that Airbnb, hotel, or short-term rental will come right out of your bank account. Worse, you’ll still have to pay for the cost of repairs to your home as well as the full mortgage amount you owe normally.

Home insurance helps cover temporary lodging while also paying for the repairs so you can get back into your house as quickly as possible.  

7. Gives You Peace of Mind

Owning a house is stressful on its own. The last thing you want to do is worry about what might happen if your home gets damaged.

Home insurance can give you peace of mind so you can focus on the other more pressing issues relating to homeownership.

Do You Need Homeowners Insurance? Absolutely!

When you first buy a new house, it’s normal to wonder if homeowners insurance is worth the investment. After all, you’re going to pay for it as long as you own the house.

Though every person’s situation is different, the standard answer to, “do you need homeowners insurance?” is almost always, “yes.”

If you don’t have a policy already, get quotes from local insurance providers immediately. The sooner you do, the safer your home will be.

Looking for more helpful tips to keep your home in good shape? Check out our latest posts.

How to Paint a Ceiling: The Only Guide You Will Need

Whether you live in a stone or wooden house, you will agree with me that a nicely painted room is fundamental to improving the general look of your house. Indeed, minor decorations in your room are capable of transforming the overall appearance of your house significantly.

It is also true that we spend more than half a day in our homes. For this reason, it is imperative to ensure we make them as comfortable as possible. The best way to ensure our rooms are looking great is to paint, decorate, or add some designs.

When designing your home, you may want to paint your ceilings. Check out our helpful guide here on how to paint a ceiling.

Step 1- Clear the Room

This is perhaps the most important thing to do before conducting any form of painting. Ensure your room is empty by clearing out any movables. Failure to do so, you might end up stumbling over something and risk either hurting yourself or spilling paint all over.

Move as much furniture as you can to another empty room or put them outside for a while and return them when you are done. What’s more, if possible, you can also try rolling up the carpet. If you have fixed appliances that may be too heavy to carry, you can cover them with cartons or polythene sheets.

Step 2- Fix Holes and Remove Fixtures From Your Ceiling

If you want to achieve exceptional results, you should first eliminate any available default on your ceiling. Besides, if you intend to paint the ceiling, you should ensure you remove obstacles such as shelves and cupboards that might block or obstruct your access to the ceiling.

Also, you might want to remove fixtures such as light pendant fittings that you don’t want to paint. Note that you don’t have to remove the whole light fixture completely.

You can unscrew the cover without tampering with the wires. You will not only avoid working with bare live wires but also get enough room to paint as far as you can.

That’s not all! Ceiling repairs should be done at this stage. Before you move the lead to open your paint, you should ensure you have completely sealed off any holes on your ceiling. You can also get rid of any unnecessary fixtures at this stage.

Step 3- Clean Out the Stains

Smoke or dirt coatings can easily stain your ceiling. Ensure you cover them from beneath before proceeding to the next step.

Step 5- Open Your Can

Finally, you can now start painting. If you follow all the above steps as required, you will be ready to open your tin and add color to any ceiling design. Also, it is important to ensure you have the best paint for better results. Pour a little paint into a smaller container and wipe out any drips or spills on your container as you paint.

Step 6- Start With a Cut-In

Using a stepping tool, a ladder, or a wooden box, ensure you place yourself in a comfortable position near the ceiling. Start with the edges of the ceiling — where the ceiling meets with the wall. Carefully dip your paintbrush in the paint and wipe it against the side of the container to remove any excess paint.

What’s more, ensure you have the correct size of the brush to avoid having difficulty dipping it in the container. Hold the brush firmly at the edge of the ceiling and carefully move the brush as you transfer the paint from the brush to the ceiling. Also, don’t worry about the paint dripping on your wall. You can carefully wipe it with a cloth while it is still wet.

Step 7- Load Your Roller

The best way to paint a ceiling is by using a roller. Take out your roller, damp it with some water, and pour some paint on it. Note that the importance of damping your roller is to avoid working with dried up paint. Dip the roller into the paint and firmly roll it back and forth on the ceiling.

You can continue rolling upon an area of about two to three feet before dipping the roller in the paint again. When the paint runs out on the roller, you will notice that it will leave paint lines, ensure you feather out the edges to eliminate all the lines.

The best way to achieve better results using a roller is to move it back and forth then side to side onto the adjacent areas to eliminate any patterns. Besides, it is also advisable to bend the overlap into each other when painting a ceiling by ensuring the area being covered on does not dry.

Step 8- Leave it to Dry

After covering all the above steps, you can now rest as you wait for it to dry. Leave it to dry for an hour or two — preferably two. Also, you should ensure you proceed to the next step only when your paint has completely dried. If you apply an overcoat when it is not dry, you’ll risk lifting the first coat away.

Step 9- Apply the Second Coat

Follow the step you used to apply the first coat on the second coat. Note that the application of the second coat is necessary to ensure you cover the little spots that you missed on your first coating. In case you find that the spots are still visible, you can go ahead and apply the third or fourth coat — if need be.

Step 10- Clean Your Tools

Now that you are done with your painting and have that glamorous look you were hoping to achieve, it is necessary to ensure you clean everything. Put your rollers and brush in a tin with a little detergent, and gently wash them.

Rinse them and leave them in the sun to dry. Additionally, don’t forget to pour any unused paint back into the original container and carefully place the lid back for future use.

Do We Need to Learn How to Paint a Ceiling?

Yes, there is no better way to achieve the appearance we want in our homes than to have a lovely painting on our ceiling. Besides, based on the above guide, there is no doubt that you can comfortably learn how to paint a ceiling and do it yourself.

After all, who doesn’t love to play with a little paint? Do you desire to own an exquisite real estate property? Check us out for a guide on prime properties for sale and more real estate topics.

When Should You Hire a Property Manager

There are almost 50 million rental properties in the U.S. today. Roughly half of them are owned by individual investors—a.k.a. “mom and pop” landlords—who are in charge of taking care of them.

If you own one or more rental properties, you know how profitable they can be. But you also know how tough it can be to chase your tenants down for rent, fix issues that pop up with your properties and market your vacant properties to those in your community.

If you’ve had enough of doing these things, hire a property manager and have them tackle these tasks for you. It’ll cut into your rental property profits a bit. But it’ll be well worth the expense when you see how helpful having a property manager is.

Here are some of the situations in which you should definitely consider hiring a property manager to lend you a helping hand.

You Just Purchased Your Very First Rental Property

Did you just close on your first ever rental property? The second that you take ownership of it, it’ll be your responsibility to care for it from then on.

If you’re confused about where to start, you might want to hire a property manager to show you the ropes, at least for a little while. They can help you fill your rental property. They can also make any repairs that need to be made.

There are some people who enjoy learning on the fly after they buy a rental property. But there are also others who need help figuring out what to do with a rental property. If you fall into the second category, don’t be afraid to ask a property manager for assistance.

You Own a Bunch of Different Rental Properties

Are you the owner of a handful of different rental properties? If so, you can also benefit from hiring a property manager in a big way.

Whether you own five rental properties or dozens of them, it’s going to be almost impossible for you to keep up with all of them and give them the attention they need. A property manager can handle everything that needs to be done for you so that you don’t have to do a thing.

The only thing you’ll have to worry about is sitting back and counting all the money your rental properties bring in. Hiring a property manager is a small price to pay for this luxury.

You Have a Rental Property in a Different City

Do you own a rental property that’s located more than just 15 or 20 minutes away?

This is going to make it very inconvenient for you to take good care of it yourself. You won’t be able to jump up at a moment’s notice and run to the property to fix a plumbing problem or another issue with the property.

You’re better off putting a property manager in charge of doing these kinds of things. They can look after your rental property for you and make sure everything is OK with it in between your visits to check it out. 

You Struggle to Find the Time to Manage Your Rental Property

Most people have a hard time taking care of the home they live in, much less finding time to take care of their rental properties. There are only 24 hours in a day, which can make it almost impossible for some people to find time to devote to rental properties.

Stop trying to squeeze every single second out of every single day while managing your rental property. Pass the responsibility on to a property manager and let them worry about finding the time to care for your property.

You Have a Tough Time Finding Good Tenants for Your Rental Property

As we alluded to earlier, hiring a property manager is going to cost you some money. It’s one of the main reasons why rental property owners decide against doing it.

But consider this: If you don’t hire a property manager for a rental property, that property could end up costing you money over time. This will be especially true if your property is sitting vacant more often than not.

You can put your property manager in charge of marketing your rental property and filling it with tenants. You can also put them in charge of finding the right tenants so that you don’t have someone living in your property and not paying rent every month.

This will be such a huge weight off your shoulders. You won’t have to be concerned about your rental property costing you money anymore. 

You Would Rather Not Deal With the Stress Associated With a Rental Property

Stress is something that just about everyone has to deal with these days. Studies have shown that Americans are among the most stressed-out people in the world right now.

If you’d rather not deal with one more thing that’s going to add stress to your life, do yourself a favor and hire a property manager. You’ll feel so much less stressed out day in and day out when there is someone else handling everything related to your rental property.

This will make you more enthusiastic about buying up additional rental properties in the future. The thought of doing it won’t send you into a panic and cause unnecessary stress.

Hire a Property Manager to Look After Your Rental Property From Now on

As you can see, there are so many great reasons to hire a property manager if you own rental properties. Whether you’re a first-time rental property owner or a seasoned vet in the rental property space, you should consider taking advantage of a property manager.

You’ll find that you enjoy owning rental properties more when someone else is in charge of doing the dirty work. You’ll also often find that your rental properties will be more profitable over time.

Want to get access to more informative articles on rental properties? Check out our blog to find additional tips for rental property owners.

The New Homeowner’s Guide to Furnace Maintenance

As a new homeowner, the last thing you want to think about is your furnace. But, if you prepare for the cool weather before the first snow falls, you’ll ensure your new home is warm and cozy. By keeping up with your furnace maintenance, you’ll save money by enhancing the efficiency of your furnace system. Maintenance also extends the life of your heating system.

Are you prepared to turn on the heat when the cold weather looms?

An important part of furnace maintenance is having it serviced by a fully licensed professional. This way, you’ll make sure your heat works when you need it during the cold winter months. Read more about keeping your heating system up and running no matter what type of furnace you have.

5 Preventative Furnace Maintenance Tips

Remember that your furnace is an investment just like your new home. To avoid costly repairs, you can do some preventative maintenance yourself. But, some furnace service should be left to furnace repair professionals.

1. Check the Furnace Flue

Your furnace flue is a pipe that releases the byproducts like carbon monoxide. Make sure you keep your flue free from obstructions. This will ensure that the flue vents properly. It also decreases the workload of your furnace and safely removes toxic fumes.

2. Inspect Your Doors and Windows for Leaks

Did you know that according to Energy.gov, heating your home is 42 percent of your utility costs? So, if you can stop your heat from escaping through leaky doors and windows, you can conserve energy. If you find any leaks around your windows and doors, install new weather stripping or caulking to prevent air loss.

3. Replace the Filter

You should replace your filter every three to four months. This reduces the workload on your furnace and makes it more energy efficient. If you have pets, your filter can become clogged with fur and dander.

4. Inspect Your Ductwork

If air escapes from your ducts, it can cause inefficient heating from your furnace. This can strain your heating system. Check your ductwork for tears and open joints. Fix ducts with duct tape or contact a furnace service company to inspect and repair your ductwork.

5. Schedule an Annual Furnace Tune-Up

One of the first things to do as a new homeowner is to schedule an annual tune-up of your furnace. This increases its performance and identifies any problems before you’re left without heat on a cold day.

An annual tune-up also reveals any potential hazards from carbon monoxide leaks and worn equipment that could become fire hazards. Furnace tune-ups usually include checking your burner, motor, fans, loose wiring and thermostat operation.

With a better performing furnace and the prevention of any problems, you’ll save money on your monthly heating bills and the cost of major repairs.

Stay Warm With Simple Furnace Maintenance

By performing basic furnace maintenance, you’ll ensure you’ll have heat during the cold months. Also, keep your furnace performing the way it should by scheduling annual or semi-annual professional furnace service for increased efficiency, safety and comfort in your new home.

Transform Your Bathroom: 5 Easy Bathroom Updates

Bathrooms are one of the most commonly renovated rooms in a house, right up there with kitchens and basements. There’s nothing worse than having to spend time in an outdated bathroom that hasn’t been upgraded in about three decades.

But what if you just can’t afford to completely renovate your bathroom? How can you transform your bathroom without breaking the bank?

Keep reading for five easy bathroom updates that’ll give it the facelift it deserves (and needs).

1. Paint Your Bathroom a Bold Color

Do you want to drastically change the vibe of your bathroom for less than 50 bucks? All you need to do is paint the walls a bold color!

Painting a room a new color can give it a completely new feel and make it look modern, even if the foundation of the bathroom is still outdated. You can choose a color that matches the aesthetic of the rest of your home, or go for a color that is unique to the bathroom to really make it stand out.

2. New Shower Curtain and Rugs

Raggedy rugs and ripped shower curtains can age a bathroom ten years, which means replacing those old items can give your bathroom and cheap and easy facelift.

Don’t just buy new versions of the same rugs and curtain you had before—if you really want an upgrade, look for something entirely new that can transform your bathroom right away.

3. Add Some Storage Space

Do you constantly find your bathroom cluttered and messy? You probably need some new accessible storage space to clear up the bathroom and make it look more open and clean.

Adding some shelves above the toilet is a super-easy way to store things like hair supplies, extra toilet paper, skincare items, and more! That way, your sink counter won’t be cluttered with all of the items you use daily.

4. Bring in Some Artwork

Ready to add something unique to your bathroom that requires hardly any effort on your part? All you need to do is hang up a couple of pieces of artwork!

You can hang paintings that loved ones have gifted you, or go out and buy some art and support your local artists!

5. Install Glass Doors

Are you looking to make a major upgrade to your bathroom? There’s no better way to modernize a bathroom than by adding glass doors in place of curtains. 

Getting a company like Multi-Glass of Texas LLC to install glass doors in your bathroom might cost a bit more than the other options, but this can completely transform your bathroom and give it the clean, finished look you’re looking for.

Try These Easy Bathroom Updates for a Transformation

You don’t need to break the bank to give your bathroom the facelift it needs. All you need to do is get creative with these inexpensive and easy bathroom updates and your bathroom will be completely transformed.

Looking for more tips to upgrade your home on a budget? Check out the rest of our blog page for some great tips!

Let There Be Light! 7 Interior Lighting Design Tips for Your Home

Do you think your home is too dark?

Interior lighting can do a lot of things for your home. It can give the home a vibrant color that will make your guests feel welcomed in your home and it can even help you make any room in your house look a certain way with the help of optical illusions.

There are even some health benefits to having a room lit in a certain way. Doing all this is easy if you know more about good interior lighting design. It doesn’t take much to give your home a new look from the inside.

Keep reading below to learn how some lighting design tips and make your home brighter and have more personality.

1. Lay Out a Plan

The first thing you should do is always lay out a plan. Planning helps you keep things organized when you’re starting from scratch with a new room. Doing this will help you come up with what kind of room this will become.

You must first tackle the essentials like how your wiring will look like. This is important so that you don’t have any wires interfering with each other when you’re finalizing your home. Doing this also helps you put the room on a scale where you can understand it.

Most people have trouble with interior lighting design because their design doesn’t fit the room. Taking a step back to look at the room and visualize what lighting design will fit best helps you to make a room unlike any other.

2. Bulb Types Are Important

Bulbs will help you create the lighting effect you desire for a room. Most people think that any bulb will do the job. If you want to have the right lighting effect, though, you must have the right bulb for the job.

Different sized bulbs will have different intensities in lighting. Bigger bulbs often have a wider coverage area and will be brighter. Smaller ones are the opposite and will have a considerable difference in the coverage area.

The hue of the bulbs will also affect different factors of the room. Different colors will affect how you see the room. It means the room will have a different effect on your psyche, helping you feel certain emotions like happiness or relaxation.

Some bulbs also have more features which can make things more convenient in your home. Different Philips hue bulb type sizes have Bluetooth compatibility is a way for you to make your lights function automatically. This will help your house be a more modern home.

3. Layering Your Lights

Light layering can create an ambiance that’s unattainable with normal light fixtures. This is because normal light fixtures have the bulbs at the same point. This creates an uneven light layering if you use different bulbs on the fixture.

Layering involves having lights at different heights. Doing this can help you equalize the light on a single surface. This is great for bulbs that differ in sizes.

As mentioned above, bulbs with different sizes will have different lighting intensities. Layering will help normalize the bulbs’ intensities. This is great in making your room brighter while giving the fixture an aesthetic appeal.

Speaking of aesthetics, layering is also a great way to create illusions in the room. A great example of this is having pendant lights create an illusion where the room looks larger than it is.

4. Highlight Key Points with Spotlights

Spotlights are a great way to focus on a certain object in the room. You can use them to highlight your favorites in a specific room. Doing this can highlight your personality based on what you want your guests to focus on.

You can also use spotlights to focus on chairs and tables. This is a great way to make your guests feel welcome in your house. Bringing their attention to comfortable furniture is a great way to let them know you’re a good host.

5. Add Light Source Diversity

Most people think about downlights when they think about light sources. This is because they’re the easiest to install and are often the cheapest. They’re not bad at the job, but having impeccable lighting design means diversifying.

Consider lamps and wall sconces when installing lights in your home. These will be harder to wire and may cost more. Installing these will give your home a unique light design.

These give off a different light trajectory than downlights. This makes them great for adding excitement to the house. Having everything be downlights makes the house look plain and boring.

6. Mark Your Path with Lights

Adding lights to your house’s walkways is a great way to decorate the room. Installing directional lights on the gravel path or in your house’s stairs helps mark a path for your guests. Doing this is also a great way to add a touch of class to your home.

These are also great in helping guide the way in darkness. Lights are often blinding when need to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Soft lights installed close to the floor make it easier for you to adjust to the darkness.

7. Simulate Daylight Near Windows

Natural light has a calming effect on people. This is a reason for people to get a home with a lot of windows and natural light coming in. You can simulate this with the right bulbs to make your home more natural-looking.

This can help you relax regardless of what time it is in the day. It will work better if you install dimming bulbs by the window. This helps you have a softer light if you wish.

Doing this can also help increase the value of your property. Many people are looking for houses that have a wow factor. This can be enough to push the sale if you’re looking to sell the place.

Perfect Your Interior Lighting Design Today

Interior lighting design will help you set any mood in your home. Learn these lighting tips to help your home become brighter!

Redecorating and improving your home doesn’t end with good interior lighting. Fortunately, we’ve got more content like this to help you out. Feel free to read more of our guides here to discover more!

Let There Be Light! 7 Interior Lighting Design Tips for Your Home

Do you think your home is too dark?

Interior lighting can do a lot of things for your home. It can give the home a vibrant color that will make your guests feel welcomed in your home and it can even help you make any room in your house look a certain way with the help of optical illusions.

There are even some health benefits to having a room lit in a certain way. Doing all this is easy if you know more about good interior lighting design. It doesn’t take much to give your home a new look from the inside.

Keep reading below to learn how some lighting design tips and make your home brighter and have more personality.

1. Lay Out a Plan

The first thing you should do is always lay out a plan. Planning helps you keep things organized when you’re starting from scratch with a new room. Doing this will help you come up with what kind of room this will become.

You must first tackle the essentials like how your wiring will look like. This is important so that you don’t have any wires interfering with each other when you’re finalizing your home. Doing this also helps you put the room on a scale where you can understand it.

Most people have trouble with interior lighting design because their design doesn’t fit the room. Taking a step back to look at the room and visualize what lighting design will fit best helps you to make a room unlike any other.

2. Bulb Types Are Important

Bulbs will help you create the lighting effect you desire for a room. Most people think that any bulb will do the job. If you want to have the right lighting effect, though, you must have the right bulb for the job.

Different sized bulbs will have different intensities in lighting. Bigger bulbs often have a wider coverage area and will be brighter. Smaller ones are the opposite and will have a considerable difference in the coverage area.

The hue of the bulbs will also affect different factors of the room. Different colors will affect how you see the room. It means the room will have a different effect on your psyche, helping you feel certain emotions like happiness or relaxation.

Some bulbs also have more features which can make things more convenient in your home. Different Philips hue bulb type sizes have Bluetooth compatibility is a way for you to make your lights function automatically. This will help your house be a more modern home.

3. Layering Your Lights

Light layering can create an ambiance that’s unattainable with normal light fixtures. This is because normal light fixtures have the bulbs at the same point. This creates an uneven light layering if you use different bulbs on the fixture.

Layering involves having lights at different heights. Doing this can help you equalize the light on a single surface. This is great for bulbs that differ in sizes.

As mentioned above, bulbs with different sizes will have different lighting intensities. Layering will help normalize the bulbs’ intensities. This is great in making your room brighter while giving the fixture an aesthetic appeal.

Speaking of aesthetics, layering is also a great way to create illusions in the room. A great example of this is having pendant lights create an illusion where the room looks larger than it is.

4. Highlight Key Points with Spotlights

Spotlights are a great way to focus on a certain object in the room. You can use them to highlight your favorites in a specific room. Doing this can highlight your personality based on what you want your guests to focus on.

You can also use spotlights to focus on chairs and tables. This is a great way to make your guests feel welcome in your house. Bringing their attention to comfortable furniture is a great way to let them know you’re a good host.

5. Add Light Source Diversity

Most people think about downlights when they think about light sources. This is because they’re the easiest to install and are often the cheapest. They’re not bad at the job, but having impeccable lighting design means diversifying.

Consider lamps and wall sconces when installing lights in your home. These will be harder to wire and may cost more. Installing these will give your home a unique light design.

These give off a different light trajectory than downlights. This makes them great for adding excitement to the house. Having everything be downlights makes the house look plain and boring.

6. Mark Your Path with Lights

Adding lights to your house’s walkways is a great way to decorate the room. Installing directional lights on the gravel path or in your house’s stairs helps mark a path for your guests. Doing this is also a great way to add a touch of class to your home.

These are also great in helping guide the way in darkness. Lights are often blinding when need to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Soft lights installed close to the floor make it easier for you to adjust to the darkness.

7. Simulate Daylight Near Windows

Natural light has a calming effect on people. This is a reason for people to get a home with a lot of windows and natural light coming in. You can simulate this with the right bulbs to make your home more natural-looking.

This can help you relax regardless of what time it is in the day. It will work better if you install dimming bulbs by the window. This helps you have a softer light if you wish.

Doing this can also help increase the value of your property. Many people are looking for houses that have a wow factor. This can be enough to push the sale if you’re looking to sell the place.

Perfect Your Interior Lighting Design Today

Interior lighting design will help you set any mood in your home. Learn these lighting tips to help your home become brighter!

Redecorating and improving your home doesn’t end with good interior lighting. Fortunately, we’ve got more content like this to help you out. Feel free to read more of our guides here to discover more!

Let There Be Light! 7 Interior Lighting Design Tips for Your Home

Do you think your home is too dark?

Interior lighting can do a lot of things for your home. It can give the home a vibrant color that will make your guests feel welcomed in your home and it can even help you make any room in your house look a certain way with the help of optical illusions.

There are even some health benefits to having a room lit in a certain way. Doing all this is easy if you know more about good interior lighting design. It doesn’t take much to give your home a new look from the inside.

Keep reading below to learn how some lighting design tips and make your home brighter and have more personality.

1. Lay Out a Plan

The first thing you should do is always lay out a plan. Planning helps you keep things organized when you’re starting from scratch with a new room. Doing this will help you come up with what kind of room this will become.

You must first tackle the essentials like how your wiring will look like. This is important so that you don’t have any wires interfering with each other when you’re finalizing your home. Doing this also helps you put the room on a scale where you can understand it.

Most people have trouble with interior lighting design because their design doesn’t fit the room. Taking a step back to look at the room and visualize what lighting design will fit best helps you to make a room unlike any other.

2. Bulb Types Are Important

Bulbs will help you create the lighting effect you desire for a room. Most people think that any bulb will do the job. If you want to have the right lighting effect, though, you must have the right bulb for the job.

Different sized bulbs will have different intensities in lighting. Bigger bulbs often have a wider coverage area and will be brighter. Smaller ones are the opposite and will have a considerable difference in the coverage area.

The hue of the bulbs will also affect different factors of the room. Different colors will affect how you see the room. It means the room will have a different effect on your psyche, helping you feel certain emotions like happiness or relaxation.

Some bulbs also have more features which can make things more convenient in your home. Different Philips hue bulb type sizes have Bluetooth compatibility is a way for you to make your lights function automatically. This will help your house be a more modern home.

3. Layering Your Lights

Light layering can create an ambiance that’s unattainable with normal light fixtures. This is because normal light fixtures have the bulbs at the same point. This creates an uneven light layering if you use different bulbs on the fixture.

Layering involves having lights at different heights. Doing this can help you equalize the light on a single surface. This is great for bulbs that differ in sizes.

As mentioned above, bulbs with different sizes will have different lighting intensities. Layering will help normalize the bulbs’ intensities. This is great in making your room brighter while giving the fixture an aesthetic appeal.

Speaking of aesthetics, layering is also a great way to create illusions in the room. A great example of this is having pendant lights create an illusion where the room looks larger than it is.

4. Highlight Key Points with Spotlights

Spotlights are a great way to focus on a certain object in the room. You can use them to highlight your favorites in a specific room. Doing this can highlight your personality based on what you want your guests to focus on.

You can also use spotlights to focus on chairs and tables. This is a great way to make your guests feel welcome in your house. Bringing their attention to comfortable furniture is a great way to let them know you’re a good host.

5. Add Light Source Diversity

Most people think about downlights when they think about light sources. This is because they’re the easiest to install and are often the cheapest. They’re not bad at the job, but having impeccable lighting design means diversifying.

Consider lamps and wall sconces when installing lights in your home. These will be harder to wire and may cost more. Installing these will give your home a unique light design.

These give off a different light trajectory than downlights. This makes them great for adding excitement to the house. Having everything be downlights makes the house look plain and boring.

6. Mark Your Path with Lights

Adding lights to your house’s walkways is a great way to decorate the room. Installing directional lights on the gravel path or in your house’s stairs helps mark a path for your guests. Doing this is also a great way to add a touch of class to your home.

These are also great in helping guide the way in darkness. Lights are often blinding when need to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Soft lights installed close to the floor make it easier for you to adjust to the darkness.

7. Simulate Daylight Near Windows

Natural light has a calming effect on people. This is a reason for people to get a home with a lot of windows and natural light coming in. You can simulate this with the right bulbs to make your home more natural-looking.

This can help you relax regardless of what time it is in the day. It will work better if you install dimming bulbs by the window. This helps you have a softer light if you wish.

Doing this can also help increase the value of your property. Many people are looking for houses that have a wow factor. This can be enough to push the sale if you’re looking to sell the place.

Perfect Your Interior Lighting Design Today

Interior lighting design will help you set any mood in your home. Learn these lighting tips to help your home become brighter!

Redecorating and improving your home doesn’t end with good interior lighting. Fortunately, we’ve got more content like this to help you out. Feel free to read more of our guides here to discover more!