Some of us enjoy taking time out from the big city and spending some quality time with family at our vacation homes. Vacation homes are a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, unwind, and relax during the summer or winter months. Unfortunately, your vacation home can also be prone to maintenance issues since you don’t spend much time there during the year. Luckily, renovating your home ideas are bountiful! Below are some simple yet effective ideas for sprucing up your vacation home, adding value, and making the environment more welcoming. If you haven’t been maintaining your vacation home, below are some tips to get you started!
1. Renovate your Fence
When you’re away at your vacation home, some of the best renovating your home ideas are those that focus on privacy and security. There’s no better way to get both privacy and security than with an updating fence. Fencing can not only add a layer of protection but also add a layer of style and update the look of your home. If you have old wire fencing or fencing that has missing wood boards, it’s best to replace it with sturdy fencing to keep your property safe. Some modern fencing materials include metal, horizontal slats, wood such as cedar, and pine.
2. Clean Up your Lawn
When you leave your home alone for quite some time, one of the first things you’ll notice is an overgrown lawn or even a messy lawn filled with trash and litter. One of the best renovating your home ideas is to focus on your lawn and spend a couple of days digging out weeds, feeding and watering your grass, and getting rid of any litter or toys that might be strewn throughout your lawn. You can even take your curb appeal up a notch by installing a garden in front of your home! However, you will have to maintain it over time. It’s best to stick with simple grass or even modern landscaping with drought-resistant plants such as cacti and succulents. Your lawn is a big part of your home, so keeping it clean and cut is one of the best ways to improve the overall look of your vacation home
3. Re-pave your Driveway
Like your lawn, one of the first things people will notice about your home is your driveway. A cracked and worn-down driveway isn’t just an eyesore, but it’s also a trip hazard and can severely damage your car. If you notice any potholes or cracks, uneven areas, or crumbled edges, get the help of paving services to re-pave your driveway and make it look new again! You can also repave surrounding sidewalks that might have been damaged due to the weather or due to growing tree roots.
4. Decorate your Porch
Porches are a great gathering area for the home. You get the comfort of being on your own property while also having fresh air all around! To spruce up your vacation home, decorate your porch with patio furniture that suits your style, such as old wicker furniture for a colonial-style wrap-around porch, or seating with colorful cushions for a splash of style. You should also touch up any chipped paint or dull, faded paint surrounding your porch. If you have natural wood staining, add some more sealant and wood stain to your porch. A simple clean-up including sweeping your porch and removing cobwebs can also do the trick and spruce up your home.
5. Fix your Patio
Speaking of porches, one of the best renovating your home ideas is to fix your outside patio or deck. Remove any nails that might be popping up from the floorboards, and replace any wooden floorboards that appear moldy or even warped. You can also fix up your patio by adding lights to the surrounding areas of your patio. Patio string lights can create a relaxing atmosphere, and they are fairly cheap and easy to install. Just like your porch, you should also fix your patio by adding wood staining and sealant. If you have a pressure washer, this is also a great tool to remove months worth of dust and debris from your vacation home’s patio.
6. Fix Windows and Doors
If you notice you’re spending a lot more on energy bills than you anticipated, it might be a sign to replace your windows and doors. Windows and doors that aren’t properly sealed, have cracks, or are simply outdated and not energy efficient can cause drafts and cold air to seep into your home. This can cause you to constantly have to raise the temperature and lead to higher energy costs! This is the total opposite of what you want out of a winter vacation home. Instead, fix any windows and doors that look cracked or outdated, and instantly start saving money.
7. Repair your Siding
Like all homes, vacation homes are prone to siding that can become damaged or worn over time. Siding is easily replaceable and can come in a variety of colors, natural wood finishes, or vinyl which is easy to maintain. If you bought an older vacation home that has siding that is falling apart, take time to replace or repair your home’s siding. Siding not only looks good but also adds a layer of protection and insulation to your home.
8. Add Some Exterior Paint
Speaking of exteriors, your home might be suffering from faded or chipped paint. It’s best to add a layer of paint to the outside of your home, or even to the inside of your home to add a unique style! Get the help of painters to help you touch-up hard to reach areas, such as on the outside of your home or inside your home if you have high ceilings. Before you begin your paint job, however, get the approval of your local homeowner’s association if you are painting your vacation home a completely different color. They may or may not approve the paint you selected.
9. Repair your Roof
Older vacation homes are subject to damaged roofs. It’s important to replace or repair your roof as soon as you notice signs of damage. Doing so is one of the best renovating your home ideas to save you money and stress down the road! Some signs that indicate you need to replace your roof as soon as possible include moss or mold growing in between your shingles, missing or cracked tiles, leaks and mold growing in your home, and inadequate water runoff. You never want to see pools of water on your roof, as this might indicate you need to add flashing or a problem with your drain and gutters.
10. Fix your Gutters
Now that we’re on the topic of gutters, one of the best renovating your home ideas to improve water run-off and prevent your vacation home from becoming flooded is fixing your gutters! If you’ve left your vacation home during the winter, icicles, debris, and build-up can all lead to clogs in your draining system. Get the help of gutter repair services if your gutters are beyond simple cleaning. Bent, sagging, and loose gutters are all signs you should consider replacement and repairs.
11. Fix your Sprinkler System
If you’ve left your vacation home alone during the winter, you should have winterized your sprinkler system beforehand. When you come back to warm up and enjoy the summer, one of the best renovating your home ideas is to go ahead and turn on your sprinkler system again. This will allow you to water your lawn, fill up your outside pool or hot tub for those cool summer nights, and water any plants around your home. If you failed to winterize your sprinkler system and have a vacation home located in an area that is prone to freezing temperatures, your pipes might have burst during the winter due to expanding water. You will need to contact a plumber.
12. Contact a Plumber
Once you have a plumber on the line, feel free to ask them to take a look around your vacation home and fix any plumbing issues you might be having. Drain backup, foul odor that smells like rotten eggs or sulfur, and low water pressure can all hinder your experience at your vacation home. One of the greatest renovating your home ideas is to get the help of plumbing services to fix these issues and truly enjoy your home.
13. Contact an Electrician
If you just entered your vacation home and notice lights flickering, strange sounds coming from your breaker box, and lights that won’t turn on, these can all indicate problems in your wiring. Contact local electricians and see which are available to inspect your home’s wiring and breakers. Never leave electrical services to the last minute, as problems with your wiring can lead to shorts, blow fuses, blow outlets, even electrical fires.
14. Modernize your Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where you enjoy time with guests, make dinner, enjoy your morning cup of coffee, and make memories! For some of the best renovating your home ideas, try redoing your kitchen with simple touch-ups such as adding a tile backsplash, refacing your cabinetry, and even updating your appliances. A kitchen appliance repair service can help repair old and outdated appliances or even replace them with energy-efficient appliances. If you’re looking to add a pop of color to your kitchen, consider colored appliances such as ovens, microwaves, dishwashers, and even your fridge! Updating your kitchen is one of the easiest ways to spruce up your vacation home and make your time there more enjoyable.
15. Clean or Update your Floors
Your vacation home might have flooring that is old and worn out. From hardwood flooring that warps due to the weather to old carpeting that is dusty and stained, one of the best renovating your home ideas is to replace and update all your flooring! Nowadays, some popular choices for flooring include faux wood and vinyl planks, rollout vinyl, and tile! If you already have modern flooring installed but want to spruce up your home in a hurry, clean your floors using tile cleaning services or using vinyl or laminate floor cleaner. If your vacation home still has carpet, it’s a good idea to quickly go over it with your vacuum or a carpet cleaner. If you’re thinking about sticking with carpet, opt for carpet that has stain protection included.
16. Fix your Heating and Cooling System
Your home’s HVAC system is crucial in order to maintain a comfortable temperature and air quality. If your vacation home has an old HVAC system that is making loud noises, is more than 15 years old, and isn’t cooling or heating your home like it used to, it’s best to get the help of an HVAC repairman to replace filters, replace your HVAC, and save you money on energy costs.
17. Update your Bathroom’s Style
Nothing says relaxation and vacation quite like a bathroom with a spa-like feel. Remodeling your bathroom is one of the best renovating your home ideas to help you unwind, relax, and live in luxury! Start off small by adding shelves and storage, get rid of clutter, and add your favorite candles and aromatherapy. Or, get the help of a bathroom remodel service for bigger projects such as installing new bathroom cabinets, sinks, or replacing your bathtub.
Little Renovations Go a Long Way
Your vacation home should serve to help you relax and unwind. By doing these renovations, you can spruce up your vacation home and enjoy it not just during the summer or winter months, but year-round for decades to come!