Making home improvements doesn't have to mean completing complex tasks. It also doesn't have to mean spending big bucks. There are many projects that you can complete with just a little guidance. In this article we will provide tips on some simple and cost effective improvements that you could do this weekend.
Place candles throughout your house. Candles can create a wonderful effect in your home. The effect will be heightened if the candle is scented with a good fragrance. You can place candles in bedrooms, bathrooms, and dining areas. Bathrooms especially benefit from the use of scented candles. Scented candles will give your house a homey feel.
Switch out your air filters often. It is not only healthier for your family, it will make your heater and air conditioner last longer. Most of the time these units have issues because the filters need to be replaced.
To see a return on your home improvement project, consider converting existing space into a new living environment for your family. Making an attic into a bedroom or finishing off your basement will earn you extra money when reselling your home because you are utilizing something that is already available to create a desirable feature.
Opt to do your laundry every time your hamper fills up, instead of waiting for your dirty laundry to pile for a week. Throwing your laundry in the washing machine every two days cuts down the amount of time you need to spend folding, waiting for the washing machine and the dryer and puts less strain on your machine.
Replace counter tops in your bathroom and kitchen with new marble or granite tops. Over time, counters will wear down especially if they are made of laminate. Older homes can have outdated or vintage counters. By replacing the counters you will improve the eye appeal and home value without spending a great deal of cash.
Whenever you are doing an electrical home improvement job, overestimate the number of sockets each room needs. No matter how generous your plans are, an extra duplex outlet in most rooms will prove itself a wise investment over and over. When it comes to your home's resale value, "there are too many plugs in here" is a phrase home buyers never say.
Mansions aren't the only places that have chandeliers nowadays. You can find a stunning focal piece for your dining area for less than five hundred dollars. To really brighten up your fixture, try and get a total wattage of at least 200.
Install a pergola to add character to your home's exterior. This beautiful addition to gardens has become very popular with homeowners for its elegant, natural appearance and the shaded charm it brings. A bit of help from friends and a pergola kit can make it easy to install your pergola in as little as a weekend.
The canny homeowner pays for quality, not name recognition when buying home improvement materials. Many expensive fixtures and fittings cost so much because they have recognizable brand names and fancy styling. Other fixtures are expensive because they are exceptionally durable and well-made. Learning to spot the difference and spending money on the latter is the way to get the most out of a home improvement budget.
Are you tired of looking at the worn down bushes in front of your house? Why not give them a new breath of life by trimming them down and shaping them. When you take the time to trim your bushes and shape them, they look much cleaner and add a nice touch to your home.
If you're planning a major addition to your home, consider the cost of insurance before starting construction. Wood is always more expensive to insure because it is highly flammable. Steel and cement framed structures will cost less to insure because they are highly flame retardant. A conversation with your insurance agent before you begin to build could save you thousands.
Indoor projects may annoy others who are present in the home. It might help to do the work while the house is empty. You don't want to put all that added stress on yourself when you're already working hard enough!
Updating your home with new appliances will not only make your home look better but perhaps save you money in the long run. New appliances can save you money because newer appliances are more efficient. Look into buying energy saving appliances and see if you qualify for tax credits.
If your kitchen cabinetry is old and worn, think about having them refaced rather than replaced. If you are working with a large kitchen, replacing all of your cabinetry can be very costly. However, refacing the fronts of your cabinets can be done for just a fraction of the cost of total replacement. You can get the new look you desire and save quite a bit of money on the project.
A great way to add a new look to any room of the home is to tile or re-tile the floors. Tile flooring comes in thousands of colors and designs and is relatively inexpensive when you do it yourself. For as little as $1 a square foot, new tile floors can be an excellent home improvement project.
Replacement Windows
Maybe the house or apartment you're living in is great, but the view to the outside is not. If you have any offending sights that you wish to conceal, consider putting some plants or flowers on your window sill or in a window box. If you would like to take drastic measures in concealing your offending view, plant some shrubs or large trees in front of your window. This can ensure that you have a nicer view.
Adding window blinds to your windows is a great way to accomplish a sense of privacy. Many people don't use curtains or blinds because they want to let in natural lighting. However, don't forget that you can see outside, but whoever is outside, can also see inside. Window blinds can add to your privacy and come in different styles to choose from. You don't have to go with the cheap plastic factory blinds. You can find some really nice wooden or bamboo shades, that do the job, just as well.
If you desire to replace your window screen but you could not find a window that fits, it is easy to make one. After cutting the frame kit to fit a window size, all that's needed is to simply attach the screen by using an affordable tool and cording. There are windows that take special screens, but external screens can be added to any one with adapters that are simple to attach.
Exterior lighting will give you peace of mind at night, and add beauty to your landscaping. Consider motion sensor lighting, as this will reduce the amount of energy used when the outdoors are not occupied, and can also frighten away unwanted animals or even prowlers. Install the lights in strategic places, such as the exact area visible to you from a window, and the path from your vehicle to the front door.
Don't purchase blinds until you've thoroughly measured the space in which they will be installed. Your installation will be easy when you have measured the window exactly and purchased blinds that are the right fit. Blinds come in different sizes and have different mounting requirements. Some need to be mounted outside the frame while others need to be mounted inside the frame.
Whether it is summer or winter you should always check for drafts. There is nothing more frustrating than heating or cooling the outside. Use a lighted candle near a window or door, and if the candle flickers, you know you probably have a crack to seal. Be sure to check all sides of all the windows and exterior doors.
A simple way to improve your home inexpensively is to update the color and patterns of your textiles. New fabric window treatments can enliven any room. For the kitchen consider new pot holders, towels, napkins or place mats. In living areas, new pillow covers, throws or even fabric slipcovers for outdated furniture could be in order. Bedrooms will benefit from new bed-skirts, sheets or comforter covers. Be imaginative and use fabric to update and improve your home.
If you have high ceilings, do not dwarf your windows by hanging drapes immediately above them or on the window frame itself. Hanging curtains or drapes about a foot above the top of the window makes them look larger, and you will not have so much empty space above the windows.
Exterior window shutters are one the easiest and most cost-effective ways to improve your home's appearance. If you have carpentry skills, it is very possible to make custom shutters that can be stained or painted to accent your home's color. For the less handy, prefabricated wood, shutters are attainable at all home-improvement stores and come ready to paint or stain. Shutters are also available in lightweight, recycled plastic in a variety of colors that never need painting.
When childproofing your home, do not overlook your windows as potential danger zones. Dangling cords from blinds or shades pose a strangulation hazard, and your child can fall through a wide-open window, even if there is a shade in place. Take a look at each window in your home carefully and adjust your treatments and habits according to the dangers posed by each specific window.
So there you have it, several simple and inexpensive tasks that will improve the value and quality of your home. Tackle one or two at a time, make them a weekend project, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Follow the tips we have provided and you'll be on your way to improving your home like the pros.
