# 7 Surprising Things You May Want to Add to Your Home This Year

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/02/7-surprising-things-you-may-want-to-add-to-your-home-this-year/
- Published: 2022-02-18T15:48:04-05:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Your home is a place of refuge and a launching pad for productivity in your work
and personal life. It deserves attention and maintenance to meet your needs and 
retain its value. Winter is the perfect time to envision how you’d like to upgrade
your house during the warm summer months. 

Updates can include anything from adding new paint and crown molding to building
an addition or even installing an elevator. Here are seven surprising things you
may want to add to your home this year. 

![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/photo-1512917774080-
9991f1c4c750.webp?resize=420%2C280&quality=50&ssl=1 "photo-1512917774080-9991f1c4c750-
The Green Living Guy")

## **1. Porch Furniture**

During the last few years, people have spent much more time at home. Creating a 
comfortable outdoor space will give your family a place to breathe fresh air and
enjoy the environment without ever having to leave home. Porch furniture can create
an outdoor extension of your home that’s similar to adding new indoor space. 

Arranging furniture, plants, and lanterns on your porch can also significantly increase
your curb appeal and make the exterior of your home more welcoming for guests. Choose
[items that suit your climate](https://www.thespruce.com/curb-appeal-stage-your-deck-tips-4122575)
as well as your home, and remember to bring textiles and cushions inside when it
rains. 

## **2. Shoe Organizer**

As your kids grow, so will their shoes. To preserve your peace of mind, it’s essential
to have a plan and a place to shore everyone’s shoes. These can be built-in cubbies,
large drawers, or a vertical shoe rack that hangs on the wall or the back of a door.

Although the ideal place for shoe organizers is in the entryway, shoes can also 
be stored in bedrooms or stacked in an easily accessible coat closet. Keep your 
storage units clean by adding outdoor and indoor mats for wiping off mud and snow
as your little people come inside. 

## **3. Secret Entrance**

At some point, everyone has desperately wanted to discover a hidden room. Secret
passageways and hidden entrances have filled the pages of mystery stories like the
Nancy Drew series for years. There’s something so exciting about [a house that has secrets](https://omaha.com/lifestyles/parenting/lincoln-couple-created-secret-playroom-before-kids-were-born-revealed-it-seven-years-later/article_621ab802-e01e-11eb-b171-5b7fcfdf7490.html)
revealed only to its homeowners. 

If it fits with your home’s layout, you can make all your childhood dreams come 
true by creating a secret entrance to a room somewhere in your house. One of the
best places to put a secret entrance is between your kids’ bedroom and playroom.
Libraries are also fun spaces to enclose with a secret entrance.

## **4. Residential Elevator**

Adding an elevator to your [home can increase its property value](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/11/kitchen-renovations-that-increase-home-value/)
and ease of use. Residential elevators are very different from the clunky elevators
you see in businesses. They come in a variety of styles and [add elegance to your home](https://residentialelevators.com/why-a-home-elevator-is-worth-the-investment/).

A home elevator is an excellent way to save space in [homes with a small floor](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/05/lowes-home-flooring-eliminates-toxic-chemicals/)
plan. They also provide convenient access for elderly or disabled residents and 
visitors to the rest of the house with little trouble or danger to their wellbeing.
Your kids will also enjoy riding their very own elevator inside their home.  

## **5. Sunny Playroom **

Sunrooms are spaces with extensive windows that bring sunshine and warmth inside
your home. They’re perfect for kids’ playspaces, house plants, and reading corners.
You can design a sunroom to add to your home or consider integrating more windows
into an already existing room.

Unlike greenhouses, sunrooms don’t have a glass roof. They’re a convenient way to
bring the indoors inside while still maintaining an indoor feel. Sunroom windows
can easily be fitted with transparent insulation to keep the cold out during the
winter and heat at bay during the summer. Be prepared for a new sunroom to become
your favorite room in the house. 

## **6. 󠀁[Solar Tubes](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/03/going-solar-is-now-even-more-affordable/)󠁿**

One of the challenges of [designing a home](https://greenlivingguy.com/2026/06/lighter-home-design-balance-style-and-sustainability/)
is creating a protective structure that also allows natural light inside. While 
artificial light illuminates homes well, it doesn’t bring the many benefits of natural
light, including improved mood, focus, and regulation of your body’s natural circadian
rhythms. 

Solar tubes provide an innovative solution for dark interior [spaces in your home](https://greenlivingguy.com/2016/09/home-resolutions-for-a-greener-office-space/).
These tunnels [are similar to skylights](https://news.energysage.com/solar-tubes-vs-skylights/)
in that they bring natural light inside. However, solar tubes are designed to look
more like artificial lighting and direct sunlight to a focused entry point in your
ceiling. They require little maintenance and can reduce your [energy bill](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/05/energy-star-helping-you-save-energy-bill/).

## **7. Attic Insulation **

Although adding insulation to your attic won’t make much difference in the appearance
of your home, it can save you money and help to keep your [home warm and safe](https://greenlivingguy.com/2022/08/how-to-safely-remove-asbestos-at-home/)
for years to come. A lot of warm air [escapes out of your attic](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/where-we-live/wp/2017/01/17/what-you-need-to-know-before-insulating-your-attic/),
so adding insulation can help maintain internal temperatures with less work from
your HVAC system. 

Attic insulation also protects your roof from forming ice dams. When hot air escapes
through your roof during the winter, it can melt snow and cause build-up along the
eaves. Eventually, this built-up snow can move back up your roof, permeating roof
tiles and causing internal water damage. Insulating your attic is an inexpensive
way to ensure this never happens. 

## **Ready to Renovate?**

Although some of these home updates make life more convenient, others are just fun.
Use these suggestions to spice up your living space and create a [home](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/04/42-green-living-technologies-for-earth-day-and-forever/)
you and your family love to come back to at the end of the day.

_**Kara Reynolds** is the Editor-in-Chief of _[_Momish Magazine_](http://momish.com/)_
and believes in science, that climate change is real, and is doing her part to keep
Mother Earth healthy for the future of her four kids. _

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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