3 Morning Rush Home Improvements

Is your home ready for the busy morning back-to-school season?

Most busy families will agree: Every morning can be a bit stressful during the school year. Even if you establish a good routine for getting out the door on time, there will inevitably be days when you feel rushed. Read on for 3 easy home improvements and upgrades that will reduce the morning stress and save you time all school year long!

Build a Shoe Bench

A shoe bench (sometimes called a mudroom bench) is a great way to keep a school day morning stress-free. Instead of running around the house looking for a missing shoe or digging through the closet for baseball cleats, the kids can always keep their footwear in the same spot. Plus, the storage bench doubles as a place to sit while putting on socks and shoes. You can buy pre-fabricated shoe benches and assemble them at home, or try your hand at a DIY version that costs less than $300 dollars to build!

Once you’ve created a convenient spot for the shoes, you can move on to organizing backpacks and lunch boxes. Hooks are great for keeping the kids’ necessities near the door. Coats and bags will be within an arm’s reach when you’re running late or rushing to catch the bus in the morning. If you don’t like the utilitarian look of plain coat hooks, there are many unique and creative alternatives. Check out some ideas on Pinterest to get inspired.

Add a Kitchen Island

Everyone knows that the kitchen can get crowded on a busy school morning. While the kids eat breakfast and the parents make coffee and pack lunches, traffic jams are sure to occur. If you’ve ever wished for more countertop space or elbow room, consider installing a kitchen island. This could be the designated spot for packing lunch boxes or brewing coffee.

Some islands are more elaborate than others, but you don’t have to undertake an entire kitchen remodel to add the space you need. A large kitchen cart provides the same function as an island. Plus many have wheels, making them easily moveable!

Tap into Home Technologies

Have you ever pulled out of the driveway in the morning only to remember that you forgot to adjust the thermostat or turn off the bathroom light? Energy-conscious families know that conserving electricity saves both money and natural resources. But, like everyone, sometimes you simply forget to flick off that light switch or raise the A/C a few degrees. Fortunately, with some easy technology upgrades, you can control your home with your smartphone or from your computer. Certain smart home technologies allow you to turn off lights, set security alarms, and control the thermostat from a phone app. The popular Nest thermostat learns temperature patterns and will adjust itself to conserve energy while you’re away from home, saving you money on heating and cooling bills. Other conveniences for your home include gadgets like the bluetooth deadbolt, which allows you to lock and unlock your front door with the touch of a finger. These smart technologies might cost a little more upfront, but they save you plenty of time and money in the long run, especially on a morning when you’re running late.

Most of these improvements are quick assemblies or installations, and offer the convenience you need during the back-to-school rush. For help with larger projects, seasonal home maintenance, and other repairs, call House Doctors. We’ll work with your busy schedule and offer the quality workmanship that your home deserves.


Sources: This Old House, Pinterest, DIY Network, IKEA, Nest, Kwikset

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