Working on projects to improve your home is an effective way to bring out the best aspects of your home. Home improvement can increase the beauty and value of your home, in addition to making you enjoy living there more. Don’t be scared off from ambitious or large-scale home renovation projects — you’d be surprised at how much can be accomplished without having experience in construction. Here are a few tips for getting great home improvement results.
When the time comes to replace your roof, opt for white or other light colored tiles or material. The lighter tiles will reflect more of the sun’s harmful rays and refrain from the absorption that is characteristic of darker tiles. Therefore, your monthly utility bills can be drastically reduced.
Work on the most visually obvious things in your home first. If you are trying to sell your home you do not want people to be put off by unattractive features. While many important improvements aren’t visible, you must focus on the ones that are if you’re selling your home.
Dust all your accessories at least one time every week. Allergens and dust bunnies seem to breed when dust accumulates. Not only does cleaning eliminate dirt and dust, but it reduces the possibility that spiders, fleas, ants or other insects will settle into your home.
Have you tried everything to fix your squeaky door? If so, then you might need another door hinge. You can buy one at a hardware store. All you need to do is take apart the hinge, and then attach both sides to the wall frame and door. Then, just line up the hinge pieces and place in the pins.
Think about what you’re going to do before you do it. When you plan things out, you ensure that you stick to a budget and get everything done properly. If you make changes midway through the project, you will increase both the time and the expense. Your contractors will be much happier also, if you have made up your mind about changes long before the first hammer is swung.
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. An expert can point out how to get past stumbling blocks you may not realize will appear. If you fail to speak with a professional, you may make some very costly mistakes.
To keep heated or cooled air from leaking around your windows and doors, install sealant strips and draft excluders. Draft excluders are used under a door to stop warm air from escaping and prevent cold air from entering. Sealant strips provide a similar function when they are fitted tightly around a door’s frame. You can purchase these at most hardware stores.
In the real estate market, a beautiful view can often command a significant premium. While creating a nice view might be an investment to you, it is sometimes considered an added cost for your own enjoyment. But, because beauty is often in the eye of the beholder, the impact of your house’s view on its value may vary from potential buyer to buyer.
Cabinet handles and knobs are a fine way to add a fresh look to your kitchen. Cabinet knobs can be easily installed and they actually add quite a bit of help in improving the decor of your kitchen. You can easily give your cabinets and drawers a good Spring cleaning while you have the knobs and handles removed. Simply screw the new knobs on and presto, you’re done!
A great home improvement to undertake is installing motion-sensitive lighting on the outside of your home. It will turn on your lights only when someone is there, reducing your electricity costs. Someone who comes to your home with a criminal intent may also be dissuaded from breaking in due to the fact that the lights come on when he shows up.
Consider the “age-in-place” method when making a major renovation. This concept helps you to cope within the home as you are going to get older as time passes. When you are making changes to a home you want to keep forever, or even one you hope to sell, additions that are age-in-place increase the safety, value and comfort of the house.
Start planning your DIY projects well before you start them. There are a million different things you can do to your living space if you just look in the right places. Removing the rush to find just the right color scheme will reduce the stress of your renovation.
Today, there is a new danger to look out for during home improvement projects. Any drywall manufactured in China should be avoided. In the last few years, the amount of drywall being brought in from China has increased. A lot of it does not have the same quality control that American made drywall does. It’s not only the crumbling and buckling you have to worry about. Some Chinese drywall can actually emit harmful gases.
When you are remodeling in the bathroom, you should have good lights. Sometimes people focus more on the fixtures and don’t consider the lighting until it is too late. Think about lights that can form a perimeter around your mirror and medicine cabinet. Also, use ceiling lights with replaceable bulbs.
Give your home improvements a personal touch, but don’t make your home stand out drastically from others in your neighborhood. Your house will look silly if it has some crazy feature on it that no other nearby houses have. This will make your house a hard sell in the future.
If your home needs many repairs, make larger renovations prior to moving in. Smaller projects that do not require moving heavy furnishings can be done little by little after moving in.
If yard work is not your thing, put in landscaping that needs little maintenance. Rock beds are a great option for low maintenance. You can add hearty plants to them and they hardly need to be watered. This will keep you from wasting your summer days mowing, weeding, and watering your lawn.
Does your floor appear old and worn out? Why not remove your old flooring and put sticky wood flooring in its place? Most people think this is cheap, but it is very nice. Furthermore, this type of floor is simple to put down and a relatively easy project to tackle on your own.
Improve the entrance way to your home with a fresh splash of paint and new welcome rug. Your front entrance is the portal to your home and it is the first impression that guests get of your home. Small little touches, like that new welcome mat or a vibrant potted plant at your entrance, creates the positive impression you want your visitors to have.
Rewiring and plumbing are the best places to start in renovation. Since most of these repairs need to be done by going into your walls, you should take care of them first. If you already have your walls open for renovation, then it is a perfect time to improve or replace old wiring and plumbing.
Saving money on utility bills is a great reason to renovate your home. Energy Star light bulbs use up less energy and reduce carbon emissions. Insulating your own water heater can prevent energy waste and save you on your bill.
Be sure to have your contractor listen to what you have to say. It is important that they do the task that you asked them to do. If there aren’t clear lines of communication between you and your contractor, it’s likely that there will be issues with the project. Ask your contractor to repeat what you said back to you so that you know he understands.
Are you fixing up your home? When it is time to redecorate, look around your house for existing items that might form creative artwork designs. Attractive frames that suit your decor are what you need.
By using the tips in this article you can avoid costly mistakes in your home improvement project. It is time to approach your next project confidently.
You can decorate your bathroom cheaply and easily. Simple things like shower curtain and towel replacements are easy to do. It is like giving your bathroom a face lift! You can instantly perk up your bathroom with plants; however, choose plants that will thrive in a humid environment with little direct sunlight.
