Liz Schneider, President, North Coast Building Industry Association

Your home puts up with a lot. It withstands inclement weather, endures the occasional stained carpet, clogged drain or broken window, and it even tolerates the smell of your burnt popcorn. So it deserves a little love once in a while, and there’s no better time to show it than the month of February.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money on new appliances or significant renovations to show your home that you care. There are many simple ways to show your home some love. Here are a few suggestions.

Shed Some of that Extra Weight

Do you really need to hold on to all of those 1980s leisure suits you’d hoped would come back in style? You don’t have to wait for spring to roll around to get rid of the junk that may be piling up in your coat closets, basement or garage. Lighten the load throughout your home and it will seem bigger and significantly cleaner. Plus, spring cleaning won’t be nearly as intimidating when that time comes.

Get Some Sun

Winter doesn’t have to be dreary. Sure, the trees may be bare, but that just means less foliage is blocking the sun. Do your home and yourself a favor and let the sunlight in. Pull back (or take down) the drapes, wash the windows, and maybe even swap out dark lampshades for brighter ones to make the inside of your home cheerier.

Scrub it Down

Your appliances work hard for you every day so it’s time to give them a thorough cleaning, especially if you haven’t done so recently. Refrigerators especially need a little extra attention on a regular basis. Start by taking everything out, then, be selective about what you put back. Also, check to see if any of your appliances might still be under warranty with a service plan to cover any maintenance that will keep them running smoothly.

Spruce it Up

One of the most economical updates you can give your home is paint. Whether it’s a bold new color, or just a fresh coat, painting a room or even just an accent wall can breathe new life into any space. Winter months can sometimes limit interior painting opportunities if it’s consistently too cold outside to open windows for ventilation. Plan ahead by checking the weather reports to find a day that might work.

Buy a Bouquet

If you’re not doing any gardening on the outside of your home during this time of year, bring some flowers inside. A blooming bouquet instantly warms up a room during cold winter months. Check out the flower section of your local grocery store to find festive flowers at reasonable prices.

The North Coast Building Industry Association is your local not-for-profit trade association representing member companies involved in all aspects of home building, remodeling, and other aspects of services available to help you in the future.   So, you can see it is for your protection that you use a NCBIA member. If you are unsure that your contractor is a member of the NCBIA or you are looking for a list of NCBIA members, you can visit our website at www.ncbia.com or call 440-934-1090.   We also have a job posting board (under the Industry tab).

Come and see us at our annual Home and Remodeling Show, Saturday, March 9th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Emerald Events Center located at 33040 Just Imagine Drive, Avon.  Meet local contractors that can help you with just about anything you need.  Stop by the NCBIA table to get more information or a directory of our reputable and dependable contractors.  And……the show is FREE, parking is also FREE!!!  

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Homeownership is truly a cornerstone of the American way of life.  North Coast Building Industry – Come Build with Us!