Fixtures are so named because of their permanent nature. People see and use the fixtures in their homes every day, which is why they are often the focal point of decorating. It’s also why upgrading those fixtures can not only save money, but completely transform the look and feel of your home.
Plumbing Fixtures
One of the most common DIY home improvement projects is updating kitchen and bathroom plumbing fixtures. Gleaming new fixtures not only increase the value of your home by making it more attractive, but save money and help preserve natural resources. Today’s plumbing fixtures are both more functional and user-friendly, which makes daily activities like showering and washing dishes more pleasant as well as efficient.
There’s a good reason that so many people are choosing to learn how to perform regular plumbing maintenance like replacing leaky valves themselves. The average cost per hour for a plumber ranges from $45 to $150 per hour depending on the job, timing and location. The services of a plumber may be costly, but water damage is costlier. Even a small leak can result in thousands of dollars in water damage over time. Luckily, there are a number of tutorials that demonstrate the process of valve replacement from beginning to end. It’s not that complicated, all you need to do is follow the steps in instructional video, check the flange table video and be ready to get your hands a bit dirty.
Most family homes don’t have the luxuriously spacious bathrooms often featured in interior decorating magazines. Many are actually more the size of a small hallway than a day spa. However, the right fixtures can utilize the space in even the smallest bathroom so efficiently that it appears and feels just as luxurious.
Lighting Fixtures
The right lighting can transform a room, making small rooms appear larger and large rooms more cozy. When updating your lighting fixtures, practicality is as important as decorative beauty. Luckily, modern state-of-the-art lighting fixtures provide both.
There are three types of lighting—general lighting, ambient lighting, and task lighting. Good task lighting is essential for avoiding headaches caused by glare and preserving your eyesight. Energy-efficient dimmers provide ambient lighting which can set the mood while saving money by doubling the life of your light bulbs.
General lighting is primarily for safety and visibility, but is often one of the focal points of a home’s décor. Whether you prefer a decorative chandelier or invisible track lighting, with the wide variety of materials and designs available, you’ll be able to express your tastes beautifully.
Kitchen Fixtures
One of the most common complaints about kitchens is the lack of counter space. Installing a kitchen island fixture can make your kitchen more inviting as well as useful and convenient. Besides being attractive, they offer extra workspace, storage and seating. The whole family having space to gather together and participate in meal preparation more often gives a whole new meaning to the term “bonus room”.
Replacing kitchen cabinets is another way to make your kitchen more efficient and inviting. However, besides the fact that new cabinets can be costly, old cabinets often possess a great deal of both quality workmanship and charm. No matter how old or outdated your kitchen cabinets are, with a little creativity, there’s no reason they can’t be transformed into works of art.
If you have a smaller kitchen without sufficient cabinet space, installing a few wall shelves will allow you to display your favorite dishes while increasing storage space. You can also use them as a space to grow your own herb garden, making the greenery in your kitchen as nutritious as it is beautiful. Multi-tasking may be a myth for humans, but not for strategically placed kitchen shelves. The number of useful tasks they can perform simultaneously is limited only by your imagination.
Investing in replacing, updating, and decorating the home fixtures you see and use every day can make your home more energy-efficient. It can also make your home safer and healthier. Replacing old plumbing parts can prevent mold just as replacing old lighting fixtures can prevent electrical fires. Some updates pay for themselves over time with energy savings, but perhaps just as importantly, they all add the kind of value to your home that can’t be measured in dollars and cents.
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