Turns out improving your home’s security can be pretty affordable.Keeping your house safe from intruders is probably a high priority for most home owners. Unfortunately, FBI data shows that burglaries in the United States alone occur roughly every 30 seconds.
The good news is, burglary is becoming less common every year, and there are more steps than ever to secure your home and deter would-be burglars from breaking in. What’s more, most of these measures don’t cost much — or cost anything at all.
Lock your doors and windows
Locking your doors and windows is the first and easiest defense against home intruders, but how many of us are doing it consistently? Burglars are often looking for easy targets, and an unlocked door or window is just that. Even when you’re home, it’s good practice to keep them locked. And when you’re leaving the house, double-check doors and first-floor windows to make sure they’re all secured.
Upgrade your door locks
Locking your doors and windows may not be enough if you don’t have high-quality locks. First, make sure all exterior doors have a deadbolt, making it more difficult for intruders to break in. While you’re at it, make sure your door frames and hinges are strong enough to endure an attempted break-in — older doors or exposed hinges can pose an unnecessary risk. Finally, as mentioned before, you can upgrade to smart locks, which you can engage remotely.
Invest in a home security system
Installing a home security system is one of the most effective ways to prevent intruders from entering and alert you if there’s been a break-in. First, data shows that a home without a security system is roughly three times more likely to be broken into. If an intruder spots a security camera or a sign indicating you have a security system, they’ll likely keep moving.
Don’t leave your valuables exposed
Some burglars may scope out potential targets ahead of time, ensuring they hit houses where they can get their hands on valuables. As a result, it’s best to avoid keeping your expensive items where intruders can easily see them as they pass by. For example, avoid leaving expensive tools or bikes out in the open, and don’t leave expensive electronics, purses, jewelry, etc. in front of open windows.
Light up your outdoor space
Burglars don’t want to feel like they’re on display when breaking into a home, and outdoor lights can help to do just that. Since these crimes are often ones of opportunity, outdoor lights may encourage the intruder to keep moving. Rather than keeping your outdoor light on all the time, consider investing in motion-sensor lights that light up the yard when they detect movement. The light will catch an intruder off-guard and potentially scare them off.
Secure your garage
People put a lot of effort into securing their homes but often forget entirely about their garages. Unfortunately, that can be an easy way to gain entrance into your home. First, be sure any regular doors and windows to your garage are locked. Next, consider keeping your garage door opener in the house rather than in your car where someone could steal it. Finally, you should also keep the interior door from your garage to your home locked. That way, if someone does gain entry into your garage, they still can’t get into your home.
Rethink your hidden spare key
If you have a hidden key under your doormat or flowerpot, it’s time to rethink it. Intruders know these popular hiding places for spare keys, and those are the first places they’ll look. If you must have a spare key outside your home, look for safer alternatives such as a concealed combination lockbox — or at least a discreet location far from your doorway.
Make it look like someone is home
Most burglars don’t want to enter your home when you’re there. They’d rather find an empty home and be in and out as quickly as possible. Therefore, one of the best ways to prevent intruders is to make it look like someone is home at all times.
Keep valuables in a safe
In a perfect world, intruders would never make it into your home, and so you’d never have to worry about your valuables being stolen. Unfortunately, even the best-laid plans can go astray. And on the off-chance that an intruder does make it into your home, you want to make sure they can steal as little as possible.
The bottom line
No one wants to become the victim of a home intrusion. Implementing the tips on this checklist will help discourage and prevent burglars and keep your family and belongings safe. You can start small and pick just a couple of things on this list to focus on. Once you’ve got those down, you can move onto other items on the checklist. Each small improvement you make will ensure your home is that much more secure.

Because we’re spending so much time inside our homes during the quarantine period, it’s inevitable that you’re going to start noticing every single detail about your home’s interior.
Chances are, you’re thinking about a couple of things that you’d like to change, and why not, since you have the time! This is why we’re going to give you a couple of DIY home decor ideas that you can take on while in quarantine so that you can have a new look and do something constructive with your time as well!
Sewing Projects
There are actually a couple of things that you can do with your sewing skills- and even if you’re not that skilled, having the right sewing machine will do the job for you. Think about making a quilt with your family! A variety of sewing machines can be found on Quilter’s Review and you can order the one that would be suitable for you. Read the reviews carefully and you’ll be able to understand which one works best for the kind of projects you have in mind.
You can also consider changing up your curtains and drapes by sewing them yourself! Another easy but effective sewing project is making new cushion covers. You can use old clothes that you don’t want or any kind of material that you find lying around and not being used. Get creative and use different kinds of materials to make it really fun.
Repurpose Old Furniture
Another great DIY idea you can tackle that will transform the appearance of any room is repurposing old furniture. Take your dining chairs and reupholster them- it’s actually quite easy to do. You can find tutorials online, and you can order the materials online as well, should you need them- but first look around your home and make sure that you haven’t missed something that you can use.
Think about cupboards, shelves and anything that might need a new coat of paint. By doing this, you’re going to totally transform the way a room feels and looks- it will seem brand new and is a great thing to do with other members of the family as well.
Easy Storage Ideas
The more time we spend at home, the more aware we become of the clutter that we have all around the house. Keep in mind, because you’re spending all your time at home, you’re probably susceptible to creating even more clutter than usual. This is why it’s a great idea to come up with DIY storage ideas that are clever, fun, and keep the clutter out of sight.
There are creative ways to create new shelves for your books or centerpieces. You can also find ideas online on how you can organize your kitchen storage by creating compartments easily.
Take On Art Projects
Art is a wonderful means of expression, and it can really bring a room to life, giving it a completely different feel. Instead of buying artwork, take a shot at creating your own. Whether you decide to paint, make a sculpture or utilize objects that you have at home and turn them into something completely different, each idea will help you to find your creative voice and try out a different skill for a change.
You can also find a mirror and work to create a frame around it using different materials, you get fabric paint and add a unique pattern or design to your cushions, get your spice jars or vases and give them a makeover- the options are endless!
Playful Outdoor Ideas
There are so many things that you can do to transform the way your outdoor area looks. Think about creating things that will change the effect of your lighting using colored glass, or you can use old tires and transform them into furniture such as seats and tables using paint and wood along with it. Think about making your own wind chimes to hang outside using old metal objects that you no longer use.
The wonderful thing about having to stay at home is that you can finally discover a world of new projects that you can take on to truly make your home your own, all over again.
There are so many wonderful ideas available that you can work on that are quite simple, will allow you to express your creativity, and will also change the way your home looks entirely. All you have to do is do a bit of research, look for different materials around the house, and use fresh eyes to think about what you’d like to change.

Remodeling is one of the best ways to bestow a brand new look to your house. As we all know, a home should offer a comfortable and pleasing environment all day. However, suppose you notice your house is breaking down and needs repair. In that case, it’s advisable to hire or consult home remodeling contractors. Before that, you should weigh in options that will give your house a fresh look and at an affordable cost.
Common areas that need remodeling
The first step you should take is to visualize your preference and the look you want to give your house. Identify areas in your home that need remodeling and the actual type of repair you require. Ensure you consult a contractor to get a quote that will help make a budget for your home repair.
Most areas that need makeovers are:
Kitchen;
Bathroom;
Garage or Basement.
Bathroom remodeling
In a home setup, the bathroom is equally important to the kitchen. There are several reasons why you need to remodel your bathroom. Some of you are not happy, or your bathroom design is outdated. Circumstances may also force you to give your bathroom a makeover. Let’s look at some of the common reasons for remodeling:
Remodeling makes your bathroom aesthetically appealing.
Bathrooms are sections of a home that are always in constant use; hence they wear off faster than other rooms.
To add a coat of protection
Often bathrooms experience high humidity and heat from hot water. The high temperatures and dampness lead to paint peeling off from the walls. Remodeling adds an extra protective layer to your wall.
To keep up with emerging trends
Each day magnificent interior designs are invented by experts. Some homeowners love to keep up with emerging trends in bathrooms. Remodeling will give your outdated bathroom a new look that will make you feel happy.
Basement remodeling
Nowadays, people are remodeling their basements to cater for more rooms that can be rented out. Extra spaces will earn you some additional income to assist you in your daily life. More rooms will assist you in accommodating a large family.
Kitchen Makeover
The kitchen isn’t just an eating and cooking place. It is the ‘heart’ of any house, and it’s where family and friends socialize during meals. Kitchen materials deteriorate over time due to scratches or heat emanating from cooking surfaces. The following are reasons for remodeling.
Remodeling improves your kitchen functionality
Kitchens need remodeling once in a while to eliminate clutter and confusion from accumulated items that are not in their correct positions. Remodeling will eliminate.
Remodeling raises your house resale price
Renovating your kitchen will boost the resale price for your home, as potential clients are attracted to more pleasing interior design.
Renovate your kitchen to suit your family needs
Remodel your kitchen to make space for your family’s needs. The kitchen should facilitate storage, cooking, and general socializing of the family.
Exterior house remodeling
If the exterior of your house is dull, it may ward off a prospective buyer or curious neighbors who would love to admire your home. Windows are a crucial part of your exterior look, ensuring you choose the best style for your house. The door gives the first impression of your interior design. Consider the type of door, color, and final appearance you want to achieve.
The roof is another critical area that you can give a remodel or repair. If your roof is in bad condition with leaks or a dull appearance, it may push away any potential buyers, and if not for sale, it will give your house an awful look. If your roof needs an update, there are various colors and materials in the market that you can choose from.
After choosing the right company for your project, it is advisable to sit down with a designer and plan your house’s overall look. It will be essential to put the right colors and materials together for you to have great results.