Home improvement projects provide something for every homeowner, whether it is sprucing up a tired home, or preparing to get the most from a potential sale, there is no end to the benefits available. This article discusses some tips and information for you to consider when you are setting out to do a home improvement project.
During the summer, use all the fans that you can. Ceiling fans help circulate air, which will help in cooling the room. Making good use of ceiling and portable fans can ease the drain on your air conditioning, reducing your monthly electric bill.
Painted Baseboards
When replacing baseboards, stained wood offers more appeal than painted baseboards. This type of baseboard oozes classic appeal, and you can never go wrong with wood’s warm ambiance. Stained baseboards also hide imperfections better. Scratches and scuffs don’t stand out as much as they would on painted baseboards. A number of different stain colors are available to suit different styles of decor.
If there are small holes in walls from hanging pictures or paintings, try using spackle to renew the walls. First, buy spackle at a home improvement store. As long as the holes are not too big, a tiny bit of spackle will do. Use a pin to spackle the really small holes. After your spackle has dried, use some sandpaper or even a credit card to smooth everything out and make the wall look new again. Then, apply paint to the area. This will make the holes in your wall disappear overnight!
If you are doing some work on your house, you need to have a drill. It allows you to make different sized holes in surfaces for screws, and allows you to drive the screws in with special attachments. Aim to use a cordless drill that is battery-powered with 9 volts and drill bits that are 1/32 all the way up to 1/4. You also need attachments for driving Phillips and flat-head screws.
You may be eager to demolish things that you intend to rebuild, but doing so incorrectly could have serious consequences. Wall and cabinet structures need to be checked before tearing them down. Avoid expensive repair bills from damaged electrical wiring by carefully examining the area first.
Some things often overlooked when doing home improvements or updating are gutters, downspouts and chimneys. It is essential that you look at all of the different parts of the house to ensure they do not need an upgrade or repair. A dirty chimney presents a very real fire hazard, and letting your downspouts and gutters get clogged can cause water intrusion and serious structural problems.
The cost of getting a new roof is often one of the more costly things to fix on a house. Get estimates from at least three roofing companies and be sure to check their references. There are many options for new roofing material, including lightweight tile and metal roofs, in addition to the more traditional wood shake and composite shingles. Turn to a professional roofing contractor for help with this decision.
Before you do anything with electrical outlets or lighting fixtures, you need to turn the electricity off. Leaving the power on will leave everyone vulnerable to live wires and possible electrocution.
Outdoor space should be utilized when looking to improve your home. You can turn your backyard into an extension of the house. You can come home to a nice barbecue, or just relax in your new outdoor space.
Do you know about “age-in-place” techniques? Age-in-place means you need to take into account how your house will change with your age needs over time. No matter how long you plan on staying in your house, these additions will make your home a more comfortable place to live.
If your home isn’t complete with a shower, it is wise to think about having one installed. You can lower your water usage by putting in a shower. Also, showers are more accessible. A shower that takes five minutes uses less than a quarter of the water required to fill a tub.
Down-facing outdoor accent lighting is an easy way to emphasize the more attractive elements of your front lawn or walkway. If you can situate some of these lights within your trees, it can often look as if it were moonlight. The lighting is also great for spotlighting outdoor dining areas or garden statues.
Make sure to provide adequate lighting when designing your new or updated bathroom. People tend to focus on fixtures when remodeling their bathroom and forget that lighting is important. Find lights that you can add around your mirror or medicine cabinet, and add ceiling lights that can easily be replaced should the bulb die out.
Analogous Colors
If you want a room in your home to be a restful space, paint it in analogous colors. Analogous colors are those that are adjacent on the color wheel. Examples include violet and blue or yellow and green. Any area using such color schemes are more tranquil in appearance and mood, making them perfect for the bedroom or family den.
Does your flooring look dated and worn? With a little effort you can replace that old flooring with some elegant wood flooring. Some might consider this cheap, but it can be acceptable. It is simple to install, so many people do it themselves.
Your homeowner insurance will go down if you put smoke alarms in your home. If your home is older, you’ll see a more dramatic decrease, as insurance companies operate under the assumption that older homes were built with materials less resistant to fire. Smoke alarms save money, and they also save lives.
You do not have to be a pro to do home improvement projects. Home improvement is something that anyone can do. A quick coat of paint or an overhaul on a kitchen are both things that can raise the value of the home or add comfort. Use this article’s advice to begin your project today!
