When you are someone who likes do-it-yourself projects, you are also someone who likes to learn the best way to do the projects you have in mind. These tips should help you get started on your first do-it-yourself project.
If there are smaller crack in the roof, you can use aluminum tape to make repairs. Remove the paper backing, then apply the sticky side to a very clean surface. Those cracks will be sealed and waterproofed, with little time or effort involved.
Before you replace your kitchen cabinets, determine if simply refinishing them would achieve the same effect, especially since it is so much cheaper to accomplish. You could paint and place new doors to get a new look. It is a more affordable way to improve the look of the kitchen.
Repainting a porch may be something you need to do. If so, lean on a quality exterior paint. Make sure the bases of the old and new paints match. That means using oil-based paint if the existing paint is oil-based, and the same for water-based paints. Oil based paint works well for trim since it is water resistant, but avoid using it on an outdoor deck or floor because it is slippery after snow.
A great way to lower the cost of your electric bill is to use a motion sensor light instead of a regular porch light. You can still turn it on manually if need be, and you can also adjust sensitivity on some models.
Add some storage areas to your home by using old shoe boxes for loose items. You can create great designs by adding leftover wallpaper, or even fabric, as a cover to those old shoe boxes. You can add a lot of pizazz to your room and storage!
Try using a sponge on your drywall. Don’t sand your drywall seams, sponge them. Sponges can smooth out seams of drywall every bit as effectively as sanding. This also alleviates dust production caused by sanding.
Don’t just plunk your money down for the first materials you see. Do some comparison shopping to get the most value for your dollar. If you put down new flooring, it can be expensive and a price comparison is helpful in these instances. Seek prices and quotes from discount suppliers and local home improvement centers.
If you don’t have the money for an interior designer, do a little research. Look for information and inspiration online and in books and magazines. A single idea from a picture in a home magazine can inspire the look you want for your home. You can also uses these magazine pages for do-it-yourself projects.
Don’t throw out your bedroom doors just because they’re dirty. Remove your door from the frame, and sand it down until the bare wood is exposed. You can apply a clean, attractive coat of oil-based paint in whatever shade you desire using an ordinary roller. There are pretty doorknobs available for purchase that can instantly transform a door’s look.
Aluminum Foil
When you select furnishings, don’t tie yourself down to pieces that have busy upholstery patterns. If you buy busy-looking pieces, you’ll end up decorating your rooms around them. Choose solid tones for your furniture such as blue, brown, green, beige or black and choose your accessories carefully. Add pillows and throw blankets in a variety of patterns and colors for an interesting mix and match effect.
Cover your electrical outlet covers with aluminum foil before painting your walls. Aluminum foil has several advantages over tape; it is easier to use and will still protect your outlets from paint splatters. It is also easier to clean up. Just make sure the paint is completely dry before you take the foil off for recycling.
Write out a list of all things that your home needs before you set out to your favorite home improvement store. This will make it less likely that you’ll have to return to the store for something you forgot to get.
You can organize your carport or garage by using clear plastic storage containers. Label each box, and stack them up. This tactic won’t cost you a lot and will protect your things from insects.
Reduce the cost of your plumbing expenses by investing in a drain snake. You will not need to use drain cleaners as often. Snaking your drain is something you should have someone with experience there for when you do it for the first time. Be sure that the snake you use is the correct size for the drain, or damage may occur.
Home improvement tasks can be ‘improved’ by the use of the correct tools. Making sure you have the right tool for the job guarantees the work can be done right and as easy as possible. Knowing how to properly use the tools is important too.
A great home improvement to undertake is installing motion-sensitive lighting on the outside of your home. This lowers your electricity costs by automatically switching off the outdoor lights when no one needs them. This idea can also keep your house safer from break-ins, since would-be thieves will trigger the motion sensor and turn on the lights for all to see.
Advance planning is key for any home improvement project. You can prevent poor decisions and disaster by planning ahead. If you plan the job properly before it starts, you will find the work gets done quicker and with less problems.
If your new house is in the suburbs surrounded by a wooded area, think about installing a chain-link or wooden fence along your backyard. This will prevent animals like rabbits, skunks and coyotes out, especially if planting a garden is part of your plan.
If you want to resell your home, you should focus on the bathroom. Other rooms are easy for buyers to fix up on their own, but this is not the case with bathrooms. If the shower and sink aren’t looking to good, replace them with new ones. Swap out your floors for tile if they’re linoleum.
Pull your furniture away from your walls in order to give the room a bigger appearance. It makes the room seem like there’s more square footage, and it looks very modern too.
Give an old luggage rack a chance to shine by turning it into a low cost, but effective side table in your living room. Just take glass out of an old picture frame and set it on top, adhering it with permanent glue. Place a lamp and some magazines on top of it, and you have a beautiful, usable new side table.
Get an electrician to put an outlet in a cabinet above where your microwave will be. It is going to be easy for you to plug in the microwave without a visible cord. A simple fix like this prevents a needless cord hanging around in your kitchen air.
If you opt to complete a project without the help of a professional, do yourself a favor by using only high-quality materials and equipment. The initial investment will be higher, but quality goods directly translate to quality results. Better quality products are longer lasting. Therefore, you should purchase quality tools that will last for a long time.
During a major home improvement project, homeowners should not take everything a contractor says at face value. Just because someone is a reputable contractor doesn’t mean they are above cheating you if opportunity arises. Before additional costs and labor are agreed upon, the homeowner should carefully review the contractor’s proposal.
New cabinet pulls and knobs are a quick and easy way to dress up your kitchen. Few projects are as simple and effective as replacing the knobs and pulls on kitchen cabinets and drawers. When you take off the old knobs you should clean the inside of your cabinets and also wipe the outside down. Attaching the knobs is the final step.
Work from the inside out when improving your home. As these repairs will actually cause damage to your home, you should do them first. If you already have your walls opened up for other repairs, why not take care of plumbing and wiring at the same time?
Tie or cut the extra cord hanging from your blinds. It is possible for kids and animals to accidentally strangle themselves on such cords. Make sure you leave sufficient cord to operate the blinds, but get rid of excess, unnecessary length. Snip it off or tie it up before it causes an accident.
Few things are more distracting than the sight of faded, torn blinds and window treatments. New blinds can make a world of difference in your room. Sun and dust can damage your blinds, so it is important to keep them current. New blinds help to add a vibrant look to your home, as you should coordinate them with your home’s style.
Stain your basement’s flooring if you want to improve the look and feel of your space. Staining concrete floors is less costly than replacing them, and it looks very stylish. The stain will also help the floors last longer and you won’t have as much trouble wiping them down. Try to find a stain that adds luster and shine. This is the best way to make your floor more stylish than it is.
Fix up the entrance to your house by giving it a new coat of paint and a new welcome mat. The entrance plays a critical role as it is the first area that guests will see as they come for a visit. A few nice touches, such as an attractive plant or a charming welcome mat, serve to make a great impression on people coming to your home.
Point your outside accent lighting downwards for better illumination of your pathways. If you can situate some of these lights within your trees, it can often look as if it were moonlight. Additionally, you can use lighting to showcase your favorite garden statues.
Be honest with your contractor about your budget for all remodeling projects. Honesty will ensure he is more inclined to stay on budget. Additionally, the contractor gets more value on their investment too. This is a win-win situation for both parties.
Never allow a contractor to push the limits of your budget by offering expedited time frames. A contractor might have reasons to want to do the job quickly. They probably want to rush the jobs to spend time on other jobs. Although, this can also come back to hurt you because many will also charge overtime if they are working on stuff that isn’t required.
When woodworking, always use the proper equipment to take measurements or judge whether a surface is level – don’t rely on your eyes. Always use measuring tools when you are doing any woodwork. These tools include levels, tape measures, and speed squares.
When getting help for a project, line up friends to help in case your helper isn’t so helpful. People always say “do not ever place all of the eggs you have inside of one basket.” That applies here as well.
Is your home suffering from unwanted drafts? Check out the new products that utilize air as an insulation. You read that right–air! The products are similar to bubble wrap and they are very effective. The plastic cushions are filled with air and installed in the ceilings and walls. It can be an affordable way to solve the draft issues in your home.
Now that you have been armed with this knowledge, you can work harder and smarter, which will make your home improvement project much more effective. Soon you’ll be moving faster and making even more difficult improvements that will make your home better in every way; it will be more beautiful, more livable, more energy efficient, or more organized, whatever you need most.
It is wise to invest a little money in a plan for any large home improvements. This will save you from ending up with a botched job that will not pass inspection. It is worth spending more for the knowledge that it is done right. These records will be filed with your house and if you sell in the near future, buyers will know your upgrades were completed up to code.
