Looking to get a home upgrade project underway in 2026, but haven’t yet quite decided which upgrade(s) you’ll undertake? Well, hear us out, because we might just have the perfect proposition.

And that perfect proposition is: adding a hot tub to your property. It might sound outlandish at first, but by the time you’ve finished this article, you might just have bumped it to the top of your New Year’s to-do list. 

It Offers Physical and Mental Boosts

Life can be hard, and we all need to relax and unwind from time to time. For many people, that means spending money to go on a relaxing vacation. For people with a hot tub, it means simply turning it on, waiting for it to warm up, and stepping in.

If that sounds simple, it’s because it is. But don’t mistake simplicity for ineffectiveness; hot tubs offer significant physical and mental health boosts, including muscle pain relief, stress reduction, and improved heart health. That’s a whole lotta good that can come from spending thirty minutes in warm, bubbling water on your own property.

It’s Great For Boosting Sleep Quality

Did you know that as many as 70 million Americans are living with sleep disorders, and that sleep problems are generally on the rise? Due to increased screen time, work obligations, and the state of the world, many people are simply not as relaxed as they should be.

Hot tubs offer a convenient — and fun! — way to unwind and prepare yourself for bed, with studies showing that hot tub use can make it easier to fall and remain asleep. You’re all but guaranteed to wake up refreshed and energized after spending some time in your hot tub, and there’s no better way to start a day than that.

They Last a Long Time

Part of the reason why homeowners shy away from adding a hot tub to their property is the perceived high cost. However, while it’s true that hot tubs can have a high cost initially, they also last for a long time.

There are companies that offer hot tub cleaning and maintenance services, which can help to keep your hot tub in full working condition and ensure that it lasts as long as possible. Indeed, with the right professional care, you might just find that you’re still enjoying your hot tub as many as two decades into the future.

A well-maintained hot tub can also make your property more appealing to prospective buyers should you decide to sell.

It Can Increase Your Outdoor Time

Spending time outdoors is good for us, yet, with jobs and cars and cozy living rooms and all the rest, many of us spend the majority of our time indoors. Having an outdoor jacuzzi is an easy, comfortable way to increase the amount of time you spend outdoors.

You’ll notice this especially during the winter months, when you’ll be able to pass warm hours outside even on the chilliest nights when you would normally be sheltering inside your home.

Many people fall into the trap of making emotional decisions when it comes to spending money on their properties. They’re feeling with their hearts instead of thinking with their heads. There’s nothing wrong with this per se, but if you’re somebody who prefers logic over vibes, then this guide is for you.

We explore some budgeting basics, how to decide between needs and wants, and how to consider things like return on investment. Here’s everything you need to know the next time you’re planning on spending a lot of money on your home.

Assess your situation using rationality

You’ll want to start with a rational frame. Instead of allowing your emotions to guide you, you’ll want to think about the data and the numbers involved. For example, why do you want to renovate? Sometimes you need to renovate out of necessity. For example, Bumble roof replacement becomes essential if you have a leaky roof.

Marble counters on the other hand are nice to have, but are they really something you actually need to live your life? In some ways, yes, but in other ways, no. You could do perfectly well with a chipboard counter instead.

You also want to think about how long you’ll stay. Often, it’s worth making big investments in a property if you plan to be there long-term. High return on investment projects can provide you with a kickback as well as increasing the value of your property when you do eventually come to sell.

If you’re planning on selling in less than five years, then think more about the improvements that will get the biggest returns. These include things like installing solar panels or upgrading the kitchen.

If you want to stay for longer, then focus more on decoration and artwork.

Another thing you’ll need to think about is the value of your home. If you can go to sites like Zillow, they’ll tell you how much your home is likely worth in 2026. Then you can use this figure to work out how much you should be spending on your home every year.

Most property owners spend between 1% and 4% of the value of their homes on various upgrades and maintenance and repair. Therefore, if your home is worth $100,000, then you’ll want to spend between $1,000 and $4,000 on it per year. If you go above that, then understand that it’s purely for your own enjoyment.

Rank projects by ROI

Some projects have exceptionally high ROI, while others have much lower ROI. At the moment, the biggest ROI projects are things like garage door replacements and steel entry doors. These provide buyers with additional security and mean they don’t have to worry about fiddling around with these problems when the time comes in the future.

Adding things like manufactured stone veneer to the exterior can also be a great idea. This material reduces the need for complete siding replacement.

Other things that are relatively high return on investments include:

• Minor kitchen remodel (where you just replace the front of cabinets and perhaps the paint work)
• Fibre cement siding
• Vinyl window replacement
• Mid-range bath remodel (but be aware that you may not get back all of the money that you put into it even if you decide to sell immediately)

Make sure your budget has no drama

We already discussed the 1-4% maintenance cost rule. However, you may also want to include specific project costs. For maintenance costs, you’ll want to have 50% of it allocated to necessary servicing (like for your roof and HVAC systems). Then you’ll want 30% for the high ROI upgrades we discussed, and then another 20% as a buffer or a contingency.

Don’t just assume that you’re spending this much money, track it. Many keen property owners use Google Sheets to see how much they’re putting into their homes, they can then work out whether they’re spending too little or too much.

If you can pay for things up front with cash, that’s a great idea. Saving first reduces interest payments later on, which can harm you financially.

Use a decision tree

Sometimes it can be hard to work out how to guide your spending on your home in a completely non-emotional way. One of the best ways to do it is with a decision tree, sometimes called a flow chart.

For example, you could ask yourself whether you need the upgrade to your property now. Is it something which is for safety or for functionality? If it’s not then you need to think about whether you need it for re-sale.

Usually if the ROI is above 70% then it’s a good idea to go for the improvement. However, if the answer is no then you need to think about whether it’s simply a personal want.

If it is a personal one then ask yourself if you can afford it without debt. If you can afford it without debt then limit your budget limit spending to around 10% of your budget. If you can’t afford it without debt then wait.

Waiting is usually a good idea because it tells you whether you really want something. Over time, you’ll either adapt to your currently living situation or you’ll decide to go for it.

Do a reality check

Most investments in your property won’t make you any money. In fact, they usually only make back 60-80% of the costs to install them. Some installations, like garage doors, will make more than 100% of their costs, meaning you’ll get a genuine return when you come to sell. However, this is not the case for the vast majority of projects.

If you want to increase ROI, make sure you’re tracking trends for local homes in your area. See what people are asking for and then adjust your property to meet the market.

For example, if you’re in an area where hot tubs are really popular, then adding a hot tub to an outbuilding on your property might be a good idea. The same is true for high-quality outdoor materials or landscaping. Sometimes the returns can be high from these activities, especially on larger properties.

We all know what a life-changing decision it is to have a baby. Suddenly, your home will feel totally different and it will never go back to the way it once was. Before you actually bring your new baby back home, there are all kinds of preparations that you need to make in order to make sure it becomes the right environment.

So, let’s take a closer look at just a few of the ways that you can get your home ready for your new arrival.

Give Your House a Safety Inspection

Right at the top of the list of how to get your house ready for a baby is making sure it is a safe environment. Babies become mobile very quickly, so it is important that the whole place is baby-proofed. This may involve putting extra locks on cupboards, gates on staircases and softening up any sharp corners on furniture.

Remember, there is a lot in your home that has the potential to be a hazard, so thinking about everything thoroughly that could be harmful is very important.

Get Your Baby’s Room Ready

Getting a room ready for your baby to sleep is one of the most exciting times for any new parent. First of all, they will need a place to rest their head. You will want to make sure that the room is the right temperature and that it gets enough natural light.

Look up advice on helping a sick baby sleep for a helping hand. Also, you should consider the types of toys and other stimulating items that you fill the room with.

Prepare Your Meals

In the days after having your baby, you won’t have much time for anything beyond looking after him or her, so you need to make sure that you have planned out other aspects of your life.

Obviously, making sure you get enough to eat is absolutely essential, so try to prepare some meals in advance and stock them in your freezer. You may even decide to buy some ready-meals to save yourself going through the effort of cooking.

Sort Out Your Own Bedroom

When you finally get back to your own bedroom, you will want to make it as conducive to sleeping as possible. This means taking extra steps to make it both dark and quiet.

In terms of keeping out the light, a blackout blind can be a very worthwhile investment as you will find yourself sleeping at strange hours during the day. In terms of the noise, you could consider investing in a white noise machine.

Enlist Any Extra Help

The first few weeks after having a new baby can be extremely stressful, so any extra help and support that you can provide will be much appreciated. If you are lucky enough to have some close friends or relatives who can help out, it is worth talking to them before the birth so you can work out how much time they are able to spend with your new baby.

You may even decide to get a cleaner or babysitter to take other responsibilities off your mind. 

Grey Background, Colourful Features in the Nursery

Blue and pink have been hugely overused in nurseries for years, so if you are looking for a colour that is both timeless and modern, grey is a nice option. It doesn’t have to be drab as you can layer it up with any bold accent shade and also layer on a range of different patterns.

Some perfect places to include bold shades and patterns include a mural wall, upholstery or an area rug.

Add Some Motion

As well as colour, movement has shown to be another great way to stimulate the cerebral development of children. So, as well as traditional mobiles above the crib, you can also add some movement with a contemporary hanging chair or a rocker.

Design a Growing Nursery

We all know how quickly babies grow up, so you are best off choosing a design and furniture that will stand the test of time. A lot of modular furniture can be used beyond the first year.

Certain cribs can be converted into children’s beds, and you can buy changing tables that are just regular dressers with a detachable top. Many toys such as rocking horses are designed to be played with for years.

Don’t Forget About Yourself

Obviously, the baby will spend a huge amount of time in their nursery, but so will you as well. So, you should add in a design element or two to make yourself feel comfortable. The most important one is a nice comfortable sofa so you can enjoy naptime along with your baby!

Plenty of Storage Space

You will probably be amazed by just how many things someone so small could need, but a good amount of storage space will make the battle of clearing up after them so much easier. A combination of cabinets, baskets and drawers will help you keep clutter at bay.

Modern open storage is ideal for the design-conscious parent as it will allow you to display everything attractively.