There are simple home improvements you can make that will add a lot of
interest and appeal to your home. You would be surprised at how a new
lighting fixture, chandelier or wall sconce can dress up your home. New
door handles and hardware can also make quite an impact. Old rusty handles
can give the impression of an old or dated home. It’s a simple technique to
spice up an old door. Painting is a sensational way to dress up a room,
cover up old wall stains or change the entire look of a room dramatically.
Go from simple to stunning with just a stroke of the paint brush. Try
something bold, subtle earth tones or just a new coat of an old favorite.
It’s sure to brighten up any room. And sometimes you will find going from
wood to white trim can give an old house a new facelift!
Don’t forget about the outside of your home. It is the first impression
your home portrays and can help increase not only the value of your home,
but the entire neighborhood. If all homeowners in your community kept up
with their landscaping, it will make your neighborhood more appealing.
Plant new flowers, pull up old or over grown shrubs, trim trees and even put
down new mulch. A day of hard work outside could change the look of your
home overnight. Also on the exterior of your home is lighting, a new coat
of paint and you can even paint your mailbox and put new numbers to improve
the look. These small projects may seem simple, but can add charm and
sophistication to an otherwise boring home.
Larger projects would include new bathroom vanities, new flooring such as
tile, wood or carpet, and retiling your bathroom shower stall. Once these
items look worn or dated, it can bring the value of your home down quickly.
Your local home improvement store sells books and often offers seminars on
how to do these larger projects yourself. The savings and sense of
satisfaction of a job well done can really pay off! Our homes are our
biggest investments. Does yours need a little elbow grease?
By: Robert Lipply
Posts Tagged ‘Elbow Grease’
Simple Home Improvements Go A Long Way
March 26th, 2010Home Improvement On A Budget
November 19th, 2009
Home improvement projects do not have to be taxing on the wallet. The key to approaching home improvement from a money saving standpoint is to take your time and do the majority of the work yourself. If you’re looking for a way to spruce up your home without draining your bank, here are some great suggestions.
Take classes to learn tips and tricks for home improvement that you can do yourself. Many home improvement stores routinely offer classes that break down the steps in an easy manner than can quickly be learned by the most novice of weekend warriors. The classes are focused on teaching you how to do many projects yourself and show you just how simple it is to do the many basics of home improvement.
Do the work yourself. One of the biggest expenses in any home improvement project is wages. So instead of hiring an outside company to complete the easier tasks, do as much of the work as possible yourself. You will be surprised how much of your home improvement budget will be saved with a little elbow grease.
Enlist the help of family and friends. Let them know that you really need their help for a limited amount of time. You’ll be amazed at how many people will help you if you take the time to explain why you need the help. They might think that there’s nothing they can do to help you, but having an extra hand to move furniture, or fix holes in the wall before you paint, can make all the difference in the world. Let them know that even small things are helpful.
Know when a project is too big for you. If you want to tile your kitchen floor, include how much it will cost you to buy and rent the necessary supplies before you begin your project. If you can do it without renting expensive equipment, the cost will stay within your home improvement budget. If you need to rent a tile cutter for a few weeks, it may be cheaper to hire someone else to do the work for you.
When trying to complete home improvement projects on a budget, money matters. Save money by learning how to complete the basic steps yourself, ask for help when you need it and hire an outside contractor when the overhead costs are just not within the home improvement budget.
By: Julia Vakulenko