A warm and attractive home is a welcome respite for one and all; it’s rewarding to entertain and enjoy beautiful surroundings with family and friends. Over time a home can become dated – furnishings look worn, bathroom faucets begin to leak and walls need repainting. One way to stay on top of normal wear and tear is to establish an annual schedule of maintenance, repairs and home improvements.
For example, in the bedroom you may want to paint or replace wall-to-wall carpeting every 3 to 5 years while you may chose to update bedding and textiles on a more frequent basis. Most people change bedding seasonally anyway and then add or replace selected pieces on an as-needed basis, updating along the way. A more strategic approach would be to systematically review each article on a quarterly basis. Review sheets and pillowcases as they see the most wear, and then consider comforters, quilts, pillow covers and daybed covers – are they beginning to look worn or dirty? By carefully checking each item on a more frequent basis you will have a better idea of what’s going to need replacement. This allows for better planning and more strategic shopping – why buy when you are desperate when you can plan ahead and take advantage of sales and other discounts.
The same approach holds true for the bathroom – a quarterly review is important to catch any leaks or moisture-related issue such as mildew or other wear and damage. Shower curtains often harbor mildew and as such should be replaced more frequently than once or twice a year. Look for mildew-resistant shower curtains and liners for the best possible results.