Tackling home improvement projects is something that can provide tangible benefits for you and your family. A good way to make sure you do it the right way is to make sure you know what you are doing. Use these tips and advice to make your house your dream home.
Painting your porch is a quick way to spruce up the look of your home. If so, lean on a quality exterior paint. Make sure that you use similarly based paints together, such as putting a new oil-based paint over an old one. Likewise, match water-based or latex paints together when putting a new coat over an old one. The unparalleled durability of oil-based paint makes it ideal for trim, but it’s inappropriate for decks or porches themselves (precipitation makes it slippery).
Texturing walls through the use of drywall mud could cover up unwanted blemishes. The process of texturing is not difficult. Use a trowel to apply the joint compound, and then dab with a sponge, brush, or a crunched up newspaper to add some texture.
Consider using light colored tile or shingles if you are redoing your roof. Lighter colors reflect sunshine rather than absorbing it, lowering the temperature in the attic. This will help you save a lot of money on your cooling and heating bills.
Prior to adding paint to your walls, cover up each electrical outlet cover with a small sheet of aluminum foil. The foil is much simpler to apply than tape and protects the entire cover from splatters and drips. Cleanup is so easy! Make sure your paint is fully dry before removing the foil.
Get at that drywall with a sponge! Rather than sanding drywall seams, just sponge them. Once you’re used to it, you can smooth out drywall seams with a damp sponge just as well as you could sanding. Sponging is a better option because it does not create any dust.
If you add another bathroom in the home, you will significantly increase the value of your house. It is easy to understand that an additional bathroom is handy, particularly when each bathroom is on a different floor of the home. And, you will soon find that, in addition to increasing your home’s value, having a second bathroom comes in handy!
Think about what you’re going to do before you do it. Making a plan is crucial for a project to stay on time and within budget. You also know how much more adding in different things to your project might cost you. Contractors will be much happier if you know what you want before construction starts.
When doing any projects that are near or involve a gas line, it is imperative that you shut the line down before beginning. It is critical that you take extreme caution in these types of repairs. You would not want to have an explosion or fire put a damper on your home improvement project.
Think about insulating your home for your next big project. Use the opportunity to add weather stripping to every door and window. This will reduce the exchange of air from the outside of your home to the inside and vice versa. All of your cooling and heating systems will be more efficient. Thus, you will not spend as much on energy.
Having proper lighting that works well in an area can make a big difference. Bright rooms feel much warmer to the homeowners and visitors. If you need more light, consider installing a second fixture. When one brightens a dark room, the overall feeling of the house improves.
When you are facing a major home improvement or repair job, it’s always a good idea to consult with a professional before going to work on your own. Often times their expertise and experience can avoid unnecessary expense and effort. Especially with major repairs or renovations, proceeding without a little professional advice can land you in a world of trouble.
One or two bold accent pieces can help bring out the best in any room. Look for accessories or furniture with zebra or leopard prints to create an interesting motive.
Buying Thomas Kinkaid paintings isn’t your only art option. Three-dimension tiles can look really nice, as well. Choose a couple of 3D tile colors and arrange them decoratively for a creative artistic presentation.
Older homes tend to have carpet throughout the home, but years of use can cause a lot of damage. Hardwood floors are timeless and last a long time.
Consider turning an old used luggage rack into a side table. Take the glass from a large picture frame and secure it to the luggage rack with permanent adhesive. Place a lamp and some magazines on top of it, and you have a beautiful, usable new side table.
If you are caring for an older relative, think about what they will need when renovating your home. For example, a step-in shower makes for a safer bathroom, allowing easier access into and out of the stall. Adding bars people can grab onto is a great way for parents to feel more comfortable and safe.
When improving your home, try finding “age-in-place” measurements that can be used for your home. Age-in-place is a design philosophy which considers the homeowner’s age over the amount of time they own the home. This type of improvement will increase both the level of comfort, and the value of the house.
Finishing your home’s basement is, possibly, the best improvement to make. When you finish your basement, you will have a whole extra room to enjoy. You can also get the material from a discount outlet. It’s said that a basement which is finished can improve home values by 30%.
If your home lacks a shower, it’s time to enter the twenty-first century and install one. This will lead to water reduction, and a time-saving convenience when wanting to get all household members clean. A five minute shower uses much less water than a bath.
Pick a cedar fence if your area is dry and fire-prone. Cedar wood is solid, will last long and will not burn easily in case a fire starts on your property.
Chandeliers might also be a nice touch. For under five hundred dollars, you can purchase a striking, elegant chandelier that makes a perfect focal point for your dining room or den. Your total wattage should be between two hundred and four hundred for a sparkling bright chandelier.
Using high-gloss paint on your shutters and front door will make your house look more attractive. Consult a color wheel and choose a contrasting color for your home’s trim for the most dramatic effect.
Use no-VOC paint when painting your house. No-VOC paints are better for the environment as they don’t contain many of the harmful chemicals found in traditional paints. These paints give the same performance as ordinary paints at a slight higher price.
Devoting time to improving your home is often quite satisfying. To get the results you want, you should get as much information as you can. Consider this article a starting place, and use the tips that have been provided here to get you off to the right start as you journey down the road to home improvement.
Take care of even minor mold and rust problems as they arise. This problem, common to older homes, can quickly spread and become a large problem. It is easier to deal with the issue when it is likely to be simple and quick. It can cost lots of money and take lots of work to tackle them if you take too long. Beach is effective at removing mold. Small rust problems can often be sanded away.
