When you make improvements to your home you are not only creating beautiful upgrades to your home's environment, but you are also increasing its overall when and if you decide to sell in the future. If you will follow these tips, you can make valuable and cost-efficient enhancements to your home.
If you have watercolor paintings hanging in your home, try to place them where they do not receive direct sunlight. The sun, or any bright light, will cause the colors to fade over time. Your treasured paintings may lose their vibrancy--and value. Keeping them out of the sunlight will help preserve their colors.
There are a few ways to deal with screws that are too tight or too loose in your home. Use clear nail polish to tighten screws that are too loose. To loosen screws that are too tight, try adding peroxide or ammonia, letting them soak for just a few minutes before attempting to unscrew.
If you have small holes in your wall, you can repair them by using spackling paste. Simply apply the paste to fill the holes and wait for it to dry. The paste may expand and crack, so you can apply a little more paste if needed. When dry, sand away any excess until the dried spackle is flush with the wall. Then paint the wall any color you desire.
If you have a small bathroom, consider finding ways to save space as your next home improvement project. It is easy to use an adjacent closet or to reformat an old kitchen cabinet into a new storage facility for your bathroom. Always make sure not to remove any structural support that the room has.
If you have an issue with privacy in your living room or trying to define different spaces, a great way to do that is by using privacy screens. Privacy screens come in a myriad of designs, and you are sure to find one that matches your home. You can define different spaces by installing your privacy screens in a way that blocks the view from that particular area.
One important aspect of doing home improvement projects is measuring. Three must-have, measuring tools for projects are measuring tape, a ruler and a level. The measuring tape allows you to get dimensions of space and of the parts you may use. A ruler allows you to measure and create straight lines. A level allows you to make sure a surface is flat and not inclining or declining.
You can make window screens yourself if you have hard to fit windows. The kits made for screen replacement offer you the ease of cutting the correct size frame, using cording to attach the screen and getting it done in minutes. Although some windows may use special screens, they can still use an external screen thanks to adapters.
You should look into making minor house repairs prior to putting your house on the market. This includes things like fixing a cracked tile, a hole in a wall, or a squeaky door. Issues like these may make the potential buyer worry that you have not taken care of the house properly and may make the buyer wonder what worse things are being covered up.
Hang your brooms up and off the floor. Over time, the bristles on the brush will become deformed and no longer clean well if the are on the floor. Hanging the brooms will extend their lifetime. You will end up replacing brooms less and you will save money by buying less frequently.
One of the best lighting improvements for children's rooms, is adding in directional track lighting. This lighting can be adjusted to highlight artwork, different play areas or furniture. For an especially fun twist, replace one light with a brightly colored red, yellow, or blue light bulb. Track lighting is also timeless and makes the room more versatile, without appearing too childish.
Before investing in plants for the inside of your home, take a few minutes to do your homework. Many popular houseplants are actually toxic to animals and people. Rather than selecting a plant solely on the basis of its appearance, consider whether or not young children or pets will be within reach of the plants' leaves or flowers.
Make sure that you make a realistic budget before you start making any improvements to your home and you do your best to stick to the budget. While there are many factors that can make things cost a bit more than expected, you should not be spending thousands of dollars more than you can afford.
Before you order you new kitchen cabinets, draw a plan of your kitchen that shows the location of all plumbing, outlets, appliances, windows, and all other obstacles. This will ensure your new cabinets are a perfect fit. Many retailers will develop a design plan for you free of charge if you purchase your cabinets from them.
When you're attempting to patch up drywall, it's important that you do not go crazy on the spackle. The idea is to put a little bit on, scrape it down completely and then, allow it to dry. Caking it on will result in an uneven finish, no matter how much you sand the surface after it dries.
Replacement Windows
Devote some time into weather-stripping your home. Even though your house might be insulated, there are probably small crevices around windows and doors through which air will leak. That means your house will lose cool air during the summer and warm air during the winter, leading to a higher energy bill when you run heating and cooling appliances. Weather-stripping your doors and windows will keep that from happening.
Install energy saving windows in your home. They will lower your energy bills while keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. They also increase the value of your home as buyers love new energy saving amenities. Take the time to pick windows that are visually appealing and fit your home's motif.
If your home is an older house there's a good chance you might have outdated PVC windows, which are difficult to maintain and often yellow with age. Replacing the PVC with modern plate glass can make a significant difference in the look of the house. Glass windows will also allow more natural sunlight into your home, creating a more open, inviting atmosphere.
Besides adding easily-changeable color to a room's decor, the right window treatments can help to make a room more spacious. This can be a huge asset when dealing with rooms that have cramped-feeling low ceilings. You can make your ceilings seem higher by raising your drapes and curtains higher.
Replacing drafty older windows is a great way to keep the cold out in the winter months, and bugs out during summertime. This home improvement project can be quite rewarding for those who choose to do it.
When repainting the exterior of your home, use plastic sheeting and masking tape to avoid getting paint on unwanted surfaces, such as your windows. Use drop cloths to protect your driveway, porch, and shrubs from dripping paint. You will also want to use 3-inch masking tape to protect the trim while you are painting the siding on your house.
Save energy and money by using passive solar heating. Use thermal drapes on your windows and keep them open during the sunny part of the day in winter and closed during the sunny part of the day in summer. Be sure to seal out drafts around windows and doors to prevent unwanted hot or cold air from entering.
Fix your windows! Spend the money to replace them! Install window units with double glazing. While they aren't cheap, they can actually save you money in the long run. Not to mention, you are improving your home's security. If new windows are out of the question, purchase new frames or add curtains.
Try installing some flower boxes outside your home. Try installing them in your windows or on the front porch railings. They are a relatively cheap home improvement project too. You have to buy soil and regularly maintain the flowers though. If these aren't for you, try buying gardens in pots and placing them on your porch or front steps.
Improving your home and saving money at the same time is as easy as choosing ENERGY STAR approved replacements for everything from your kitchen appliances to your windows right down to your light bulbs. Not only will this save big money on your utility bills, but many of these investments also qualify for tax credits.
As you can see, it is possible to make upgrades to your home with very little out of pocket money. These valuable upgrades will help to add value and charm to your house. You will be able to do-it-yourself and take great pride in the work you did to make your own home beautiful.
