Do you love your home? I mean, do you really love it and not just like it a lot?

If you’re similar to most people, you are probably fond of your house or apartment yet feel it has the potential to be even better. If you think about it, you’ll realize you are capable of correcting most, if not all, of the issues that bother you about your residence, unlike a relationship with someone who has annoying faults and won’t change to please you.

Would you like your space to look brighter and more cheerful? Check to see that your lighting and paint colors are maximizing illumination. Do you need more storage space? Clear out as much extraneous stuff as possible and then check to see if you are using the remaining storage in your closets and cabinets as well as you can. Is your flooring overwhelming your space? If you have multiple rugs, remove every one but the living room rug for a more open, airy look. Do you need more kitchen counter space? Remove and store any small appliances that you don’t use on a daily basis and you’ll be surprised how much more counter area will become useful. Are your window treatments blocking natural light? Remove them and let the summer sun in (while you’re at it be sure to remove everything sitting on your window sills, to make your space look less cluttered).

Your home is your retreat and so important to your well-being and comfort. Instead of settling for the status quo, make a list of the things that could be improved to make you happier and then correct them, one at a time, over the course of the summer. If you do, your home will be more lovable next winter and all year round.

Are you pro-active about making changes to your home when needed?