Most people hear the term “home improvement” and immediately reach for the Yellow Pages. However, it does not have to be as difficult a task as you think. There are lots of do-it-yourself methods to home improvement. This article which was provided by Adam’s Appliance Co with a few creative tips for improving your home, without spending a fortune.
Home improvement is often a daunting task. This is because of the time and the amounts of money required. However, it doesn’t have to be so bad. If you have several projects in your house, divide them up into several smaller DIY projects. For example you may want to redo the entire living room. Start simple, by just replacing the carpet, and before you know it, your living room will be like new.
If you have any doors that squeak upon open or closing, try using a little lubricant. Apply a small amount of commercial lubricant to the door hinge and open and close the door to allow it to enter the crevices. You can also try this with cooking oil, though the results may not last as long as a commercially available lubricant.
When it comes to home improvement, be sure that you are not causing your home to awkwardly stand out from the rest of the neighborhood. This will ensure you will be able to resell it and also, that you will not receive scorn from your neighbors. Be creative, but try to lean toward conservative with colors. With additions, keep your the total size of your home somewhat near that of your neighbors.
A simple way to improve your bathroom is by repainting it. Always use a satin/eggshell or semi-gloss paint, as this is more mold resistant than a flat paint, and can also be wiped down more easily. When choosing a color, take into account the size of the bathroom. If it is very small, then opt for a light color. If the ceiling is of low or average height, then consider painting it a shade lighter than the walls. This will create the illusion that the ceiling is higher.
Cutting boards are an important asset to your kitchen. A great way to prolong the life of your wooden cutting board is by heating mineral oil in a bowl of hot water and then rubbing it on the scuffed spots with a soft cloth. This should help repair your cutting board for quite a few more uses.
For a personalized and one-of-a-kind wall covering, consider designing and ordering your own customized wallpaper online or through a local design studio. New websites offer a variety of options for wallpaper design, including enlarged photographs, murals, or even your children’s artwork delivered to your door in a matter of weeks.
Even if you aren’t prepared to install solar panels, you can still harness the power of the sun to your advantage by installing a solar-powered fan in your attic. This requires installation of a single solar cell, which is affixed to your roof and will effectively draw heat from your home, keeping you cool at no additional cost.
If you’d like to brighten up a room in your house, look into replacing dingy older outlet covers with brand new ones. Dirt and dust can cause the covers to discolor over time. It can really make a big difference in the appearance of a room.
If you want to make your pathway in front of your house look nicer, you can line your pathway with little lights. This adds a touch of elegance and class to your walkway. Additionally, it gives your guests targeted light so that they can find the way to your door more easily.
Before starting off on any home improvement project involving painting, make sure you have the essential tools at hand. Painter’s tape will prevent damage to doorways and windowsills, and a drop cloth will protect both your shoes and the floor. The right-sized brush will ease painting, and a roller and extension handle are vital for painting ceilings.
Appliance
You don’t have to spend a fortune to improve the appearance of the appliances in your kitchen. Update your appliances with black, white or metal colored appliance paint. You can buy spray paint for your appliances in any color that you like. This will instantly liven up the appearance of your kitchen.
Recycle your plastic bottles to use as cord keepers! Smaller bottles like pill bottles work well to keep small appliance cords from tangling and bigger bottles like those vehicle oil come in work great for big shop extension cords. Just clean the bottles thoroughly, cut off the top and bottom, and use the resulting sleeve for your cords.
If you are doing work near a kitchen, fireplace, or gas appliance, make sure you know where the gas shutoff for your home is located. If there were to be an accident, and gas started leaking into your home, the smallest spark could set it off. If you know in advance where the shutoff is, you can respond faster to the issue before it becomes an emergency.
Guessing wrong about a sale item can put you in a very uncomfortable position since you probably won’t be able to return it. Carry a tape measure and a list of the dimensions of your rooms with you all the time. In this way, if you see the perfect item of furnishing, appliance, or fixture on sale, you will be able to measure it to see if it will fit the space you have in mind.
Fun fact, most dishwashers, when full, are actually more efficient than washing dishes by hand. The water consumed is likely less than the amount you use to wash your own dishes. Bonus, it is faster, and typically the washer will dry your dishes too. If you are looking into buying a new appliance for your home, consider a dishwasher.
In summary, home improvement is easier now than ever before. By using the tips provided, you can be on your way to having the home you have always dreamed of. With a little time, energy and creativity, you are sure to create the perfect look for your home. The best part is that you can achieve it all for fractions of what you would pay a professional.