‘Tis the season to show your home some love

"Love has various lodgings; the same word does not always signify the same thing." François-Marie Arouet (1694-1778), better known by the pen name Voltaire, French Enlightenment writer, essayist and philosopher, "Abuse of Words," "Philosophical Dictionary" (1764)

Just last week, florists and Hallmark celebrated Valentine's Day, and some of us may feel guilty for the entire year if we didn't participate.

So I have a solution for Valentine's Day -- whether you celebrated or not. Here is a love fest you can celebrate all year -- love where you live. You don't have to send candy or a card, and your investment will most certainly pay off.

It's a very different time right now for a lot of us and it's also a little scary. We're not in a position to sell our houses or can't rent them to cover our expenses. So my proposal is to dig in and make the most of it. The market has to turn eventually, and if you show your home a little love now, you'll be in that much better position when you can sell or rent your place.

Without spending a fortune, there are many projects you can do yourself with just basic skills. You can spiff up your house for you to enjoy now or to put it on the market at some point.

Since kitchens are critical to the sale of any property, start there.

According to the American Rental Association, "A few simple do-it-yourself projects in your kitchen can update the space without the expense of hiring professionals. Plan ahead, rent the right tools and get advice in order to complete your project on budget and on schedule to enhance the value of your home."

• Update the flooring by adding ceramic tile to an outdated kitchen.

• Remove old or outdated wallpaper and paint a neutral color.

• Add crown molding to bring in a touch of luxury. There are many styles and materials to choose from.

• If you want a new look for existing cabinets, repaint or restain for a huge impact.

• Updating cabinet hardware is easy and an inexpensive detail.

• Change out faucets and light fixtures for a new fresh look.

And did you know that most people ask to see utility bills when considering the purchase of a home? Make your home more energy efficient for yourself, and show smaller utility bills for any potential buyers. There are a few simple steps that will lower your bills.

The U.S. Department of Energy offers some suggestions:

• Take advantage of natural lighting and heating. Open shades or draperies in the winter to let in natural light to heat up the rooms, and close in the summer to keep cooler.

• Change out your light bulbs for more energy efficient ones.

• If new appliances are in your future, be sure they are energy efficient. Remember too that microwaves and toaster ovens are cheaper to use than full-sized ovens or stovetops. So use them.

• If you are willing to spend a little more money, check your insulation. Adding insulation to your attic floor, basement or crawl spaces is relatively easy and can prevent major heat loss in the winter or help the space stay cooler in the summer.

Carolyn Muse Grant is a founder and president of the Architectural & Decorative Arts Society, as well as an interior design consultant/stylist specializing in home staging. Her Inside Spaces column appears weekly in the Home section of the Review-Journal. Send questions to creativemuse@cox.net.