Staying at home for the holidays? Use your ‘staycation’ for home improvements

In what is known as a “staycation”, many South Africans decide not to go away, but rather stay and relax at home for the holidays.

With most service providers usually shutting down over the festive season, big projects are unlikely, however, it is the perfect time to make small improvements to your home, that will not only freshen it up, but will also give you a great start to the New Year.

“Using your ‘staycation’ to make small inexpensive improvements to spruce up your home can be a fun way to spend time on your home, that you don’t get to do during the year,” said Simphiwe Madikizela, head of projects at FNB Housing Finance.

q Use your “staycation” to declutter:

Most homes, whether they are small apartments or big homes, tend to build up clutter throughout the year, everything from broken items, piles of magazines and letters, to half-used bottles are piled up in a room, cupboards or in the garage.

“Clearing out the clutter during the holidays is actually the perfect time, as unwanted items can often make great festive season gifts and, by the end of the holiday, your home will feel spacious and ready for the New Year,” said Madikizela.

Sort out one room at a time, placing items in piles that are to be thrown away, given away or packed away.

“The items you have decided to keep need to be stored neatly and labelled; this will not only make your life easier when trying to find them again, but will also create more space in your home,” said Madikizela.

• Time to fix small home issues:

Go around your home and take note of all the small issues that need fixing. This includes replacing light bulbs, rewiring plugs, fixing loose planks and door handles that don’t work correctly or faulty appliances that need to be repaired or thrown out.

“None of these household items are expensive to replace, or particularly difficult to do,” advised Madikizela.

When replacing light bulbs consider buying LED lights, which are both energy-efficient and cost-effective.

• Take on a bigger DIY project:

Whether it is adding shelves to the kitchen, or repainting a bedroom, now is the time to take on a project where the materials are fairly simple to acquire and not highly labour intensive.

Other DIY projects that are simple to take on in the various rooms in your home include:

• mounting hooks in the kitchen to hang utensils or dish towels;
• regrouting an old bathroom. This will take about two days, but will instantly refresh it;
• sanding and varnishing worn out furniture items, doors, windows, etc.
•  Make it a family affair:

“You can also involve the family in home projects; for example, take your children to a building store and get them to pick out colours, test them on the walls and help to repaint,” said Madikizela.

• Fast outdoor makeover:

Finally, use your “staycation” to neaten up your outdoor areas.

“It is summer, so, if you have an outside balcony or garden, you will probably be spending lots of time there, entertaining or just enjoying the outdoors.

“You don’t need to spend any money on it, but a neat and well-ordered outside area is always refreshing,” said Madikizela.

Spend time cleaning the pathways, paving and your patio, as well as giving any outdoor furniture, canvas chairs, umbrellas and the ever important braai a sprucing up.

If you have a garden, a quick way to neaten the overall effect is to define the borders, for example where the grass meets the plant bed.

“A ‘staycation’ is the best time to give your home a bit of love and care that will last you well into the New Year,” said Madikizela.