Simple Home Improvements

Here are a few low cost (or no cost) things we've switched around in our house to make life a little easier.

Illuminated Light Switch
For some reason, the light switch in our garage is on the wall by the hinges of the door- not the easiest to find in the dark. My handy Tyrone installed a handy illuminated light switch and it's awesome! Cost-$4.

Clearer Counters
The lazy susan in our corner cabinet was pretty full but with a little rearranging, I managed to find a home for our crockpot. I also put the iron and towel I iron on (we don't have an ironing board) under the bathroom sink b/c let's be honest- I don't iron every day. Cost- free.

More Secure Entry
Our doorknob was loose and shifted from side to side when locking or unlocking the door. After tightening a few screws, it might not be significantly safer but it appears to be so to all of the annoying solicitors who frequent our house. Cost-free.

Simpler Living Space
I don't know why it took me so long to realize that putting my piano music away after using it makes the room look less cluttered, but happily I finally did. Cost- free.

Expanded Storage
A cheap over the door shoe organizer on the back of the hall closet is awesome for gloves, stamps, packaging tape, gift cards, etc- the sorts of things that don't need to be out on the counter. We're also working at getting rid of things we don't need/want that we've been storing so we have room for more important things (like food storage). We tried our luck at a garage sale (so not worth it and probably not even worthy of blog mention ha) and craigslist. It would really help to have a bit of extra cash for summer budget but I think Goodwill might win. Cost- $8.

Time Saver (and time=money)
Have I blogged about my love for baking soda? I love it. It's inexpensive and oh so versatile. It also doesn't smell horrible and kill brain cells when I'm cleaning the oven and the bath tub. I just discovered baking soda is an excellent time saver. Pour a bunch in a pan of burnt food, let it soak for a while, and scrub with a little water. Repeat if necessary. (I'll also be using baking soda as an exfoliant when my face cleaner is gone.) Cost- pennies.

Have you made any simple home improvements or discoveries lately?