When you start progressing on the property ladder, many people don’t realise just how expensive maintaining a home can be. There are so many areas in your home where you can spend money, whether it's on an extension, adding in tech appliances or redecorating, but it’s whether these things are an investment in your home which you can get back, or an investment into your own happiness.
As well as this, the fact that your home is in constant use, especially if you have children or pets, means that you’ll have to replace or redecorate most things eventually, so is it worth spending money on things that you know you will need to buy again?
Although there are many areas and items in your home where you can save money during your journey of being a homeowner, there are some items and areas where a little more investment is well worth it. Whether it’s because they provide a good ROI when you come to sell, or simply because it makes your life better, here are 3 things in your home that you should invest in.
When it comes to spending money in your home, it can be hard to know how to decide between spending and saving. As a general rule, you should look to choose quality over cost, especially when it comes to buying items which you will be using for a long time.
For example, if choosing a lamp to update your decor, it would be worth looking at more budget-friendly or antique stores, as opposed to splashing out on costly, trendy items. But, when it comes to larger, more considered purchases, such as a sofa or big home appliances, it’s well worth spending a bit more money.
As well as this, it’s important to spend money on areas in your home that you plan to use regularly, as well as items. For example, your bedroom where you spend around half of your week sleeping, should be an area where you look to spend a little more to ensure that you are comfortable.
Essentially, you need to ask yourself when choosing between spending and saving as to whether the extra cost will be worth it in the long run. In most cases, when it comes to larger and more considered purchases for bigger items, spending extra money is
Bedding
It’s important to remember that, on average, we spend around ⅓ of our lives sleeping, so why shouldn’t you be comfortable whilst getting some shut-eye? Sleep not only allows you to recharge following a long day but is vital for your overall health and wellbeing, which is why you deserve the best when it comes to your bedroom in order to create an environment that is comfortable and relaxing.
Invest in some quality bedding, made from cotton, so that you feel as though you’re climbing into a hotel bed each night and be sure to have plenty of spare sets for you and your household. It’s also worth having some cheap bedding sets in your airing cupboard for those warm days where you might need something a bit cooler or perhaps if you’ve got guests staying.
If you love to cook or spend a large amount of time in the kitchen, it’s well worth investing in high-quality kitchen utensils and cookware. Good quality pans, casserole and roasting dishes, knives and serving dishes should be the basis of every kitchen, especially if you frequently host guests or simply love adding some flair to your cooking. If you can’t afford to buy sets of pans or knives at once, look to buy them piece by piece and grow your kitchen and cooking collection that way.
If you’ve just moved into your home or if you want to give your home a bit of a refresh, then it’s always worth investing in good quality paint or wallpaper. It lasts longer, coats surfaces better, even with just one or two coats, and it gives better final results. This is especially true when you have young children and pets where walls might get a bit grubby, so you can easily wipe good quality paint down.
Cheaper paints use more solvents which makes them thinner and require more coats when you’re painting the surface. It ends up being more expensive in the long-run in that you have to buy more paint as it typically doesn’t go as far, plus you have to spend more on the preparation and tools to give it a good finish, however, this isn’t always guaranteed.
There are many items and areas in your home which are worth spending money on, and there are those items where you can get so much more for your money if you spend time looking around. One of the best ways to decide whether to spend or save is whether this is a big item that will last you for many years to come or an area or item in your home that brings you happiness and will add something to your life.
