Improving the quality of your home is something that everyone dreams of doing. Some projects are small and more like the “do it yourself” kind, while others are large and may require the assistance of a contractor. Whatever type of project you choose, though, the time and money you spend can be well worth the effort. The trick is to pick the right projects and do them well. Here are a few tips that can help when you’re making your home improvement decisions.
Be careful to what degree you personalize your home improvement projects. What appeals to you now may not appeal to potential buyers down the road. The more specialized and substantial your project is, the smaller return on investment you can expect to receive when you sell your home in the future.
Adding window blinds to your windows is a great way to accomplish a sense of privacy. Many people don’t use curtains or blinds because they want to let in natural lighting. However, don’t forget that you can see outside, but whoever is outside, can also see inside. Window blinds can add to your privacy and come in different styles to choose from. You don’t have to go with the cheap plastic factory blinds. You can find some really nice wooden or bamboo shades, that do the job, just as well.
One of the smallest improvements to your home with the biggest impact is a deep cleaning of the house. Spending the time to clean every section of your house will improve the overall smell, look, and environment of your home. A thorough cleaning is often overlooked as a cost effective method of home improvement.
Any renovation you make must keep the home’s occupants in mind, especially if seniors live there. For instance, adding step-in showers can make showers much easier for them to access, which will dramatically decrease the risk that they’ll slip. Grab bars can also make a home safer and more comfortable.
If you feel your home is too small, consider a basement renovation. In many cases, a basement can be turned into a second living room or climate-controlled storage space. If your basement has exterior access, you could even renovate it into an apartment for rental income or a mother-in-law suite for family members and other visitors.
Resist the temptation to use fancy bricks with decorative faces in your next home improvement project. Not only is such brickwork an unnecessary expense, it is rarely as strong and durable as ordinary brick. Decorative bricks are easier to deface, spoiling their aesthetic advantages. Finally, decorative brick styles are rarely produced for long, making it incredibly difficult to find matching replacements for repair work later.
If you are thinking of changing the flooring in your home, go with hardwood flooring. Hardwood is much easier to clean that carpeting and other kinds of wood. It is also very strong and durable and looks attractive. Another advantage of hardwood is that it can refinished from time to time, so it can always appear to be brand new!
The average home can lose air through their windows, which causes higher utility bills. Adding a second glaze to your larger windows can easily reduce this amount by half, making your electric bills much more reasonable and also making your home more comfortable during extreme temperatures.
If a home improvement project will require using your street, be courteous and tell your neighbors well ahead of time. Often, major renovation jobs will require trucks, heavy equipment or a dumpster, so you need to prepare for them. Those around you will benefit from a bit of advance warning.
Don’t place too many furniture items in a room. An over-furnished room will feel much smaller than it really is. Although certain pieces might strike your fancy, possible buyers might want to see open concept. Fewer pieces of furniture will make the room seem bigger.
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.
Installing new lighting fixtures is a great investment. Dark or dim rooms can seem smaller and depressing. Simply installing additional lighting can give new life to a room. A bright kitchen not only makes it easier to cook, but can liven the whole house, and a well lit bathroom can seem much larger than it really is.
Improving your home with an upgrade to outdated appliances can be a beautification to your home as well as a money saver over time. Energy efficient appliances can save you hundreds of dollars a year, and that can pay for the upgrade in less time than you might think.
There are many kinds of screws to know when renovating your home. It’s worth the brief amount of time it takes to confirm that you have the right kind of screws for your next job. Wood screws are best for projects that involve wood because they could easily go through it. When you are working with sheet metal, you should use the appropriate screws.
To reduce the amount of water you use in the shower, install a low-flow shower head. Many varieties provide great pressure while using fewer gallons per minute than standard shower heads. Not only does this save you money on your water bill, but using less hot water means that your water heater doesn’t heat as much, either.
Add a designer look to your walls by creating a multi-textured finish using the same shade of flat and glossy paint. First, paint two coats of the flat paint on your walls, then apply glossy paint to add stenciling or designs on top. The glossy coat will add additional visual interest by reflecting light.
The tips and tricks of the pros can help you create your own home improvement check list. Whether you decide on smaller projects to complete on your own, or whether you decide to bring in a contractor, you’re home will surely benefit from taking on a few home improvement projects.