How to Spruce Up Your Home for the Holidays

(ARA) – As the holidays approach, you may look around your home and see that long-passed summer pool parties and more recent autumn entertaining have taken their toll. With the arrival of crisp weather and the beckoning of cozy indoor activities, it’s a perfect time to spruce up for winter before the hustle and bustle of the season.

Two of the most common concerns for refreshing the home for the holidays are creating a fresh look and saving money. An enjoyable, comfortable space doesn’t require back-breaking labor or thousands of dollars. The first step is to clean and declutter. This is a clear path to success and is virtually cost free. Getting this done is motivation to complete other projects, whether making your kitchen pie-baking ready or weatherizing your home from Old Man Winter.

Preparing Your Home for the Busy Season

Before company knocks at your door, start with the busiest room in the home -- the kitchen.

From dessert baking to family gossiping -- the kitchen is the hotspot for the whole season and needs to be kicked up a notch. Whether adding a new coat of paint, updating old appliances or installing a sophisticated, brushed aluminum backsplash, new easy-to-use products come to the rescue. For instance, affordable, decorative backsplash panels are available at most home improvement stores in a variety of colors. Simply install with Liquid Nails Heavy Duty Construction Adhesive with a one, two, three application. Cut the panels to size, apply the construction adhesive and press in place. Not only will these panels provide easy clean-up, visitors will marvel at your handy work.

Need more sitting or dining room? Ready-to-assemble furniture is a popular choice at a fraction of what you’d expect to pay. These pieces are designed for easy construction and are typically made of solid hardwoods and high-performance materials. Ensure the assembly job is done right the first time by using a quality construction adhesive at each joint.

“This simple step will lend better durability and longevity to your furniture,” says Mark Stypcyznski, research and development technical manager from Liquid Nails. “Stress will not be concentrated directly on the fasteners but will be spread throughout the entire bond line for a more solid structure.”

Weatherizing Your Home

Now that your home looks warm and cozy, keep Jack Frost from nipping at your wallet by weatherizing your home. According to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, each year the U.S. looses nearly $13 billion worth of energy in the form of heated or cooled air escapes through holes and cracks.

Novice and experienced do-it-yourselfers can benefit from a short list of adjustments in the home. Form an air seal and reduce drafts by adhering foam insulation board, such as Styrofoam, to wall sheathing in attic areas or roof sheathing. Next install garage door floor seals to lessen cold air intrusion. Adhering with a quality construction adhesive eliminates the need to drive fasteners into the concrete flooring. For more information and instructions, visit www.liquidnails.com.

More importantly, do not forget the staples of weatherizing. Change furnace or heater filters once a month. Dust and dirt can clog vital parts making your furnace work harder. Heating systems should be inspected regularly before the start of the season. An annual tune-up can reduce your heating costs up to 5 percent. Keep curtains and blinds closed at night to keep cold air out, but open them during the day to let the sun warm the room.

With your spruce up complete, everyone will enjoy the warm, comfy environment that you have created. Sit back and enjoy a slice of pumpkin pie knowing your family and pocketbook are protected from cold weather.

Courtesy of ARAcontent