Whether you want to add a deck to your house or learn how to do that faux finishing technique you saw on HGTV, this article gives you tips and pointers on various things you could do in your home to make it more personal and a home you can take pride in because you did it yourself.
Fix the leaky faucet in your house. The water wasted from leaks can add up to hundreds of gallons per year, leading to a higher water bill for you and an unnecessary waste of a natural resource. Fixing a leak can be as simple as replacing a washer, so there is no reason not to do this simple improvement for your home.
To get a better looking basement, try staining its floors. Staining concrete floors is less costly than replacing them, and looks very stylish. Adding a stain also makes your floors more durable and keeps them easy to clean. Look for a stain that will add lustre and shine. This can make your floors look much more expensive than they actually are.
One energy-efficient improvement you can make to your home is to replace your windows. Older-style single-panel windows don’t insulate the inside of your home nearly as well as the newer double-panel style. New windows will increase the aesthetic beauty of your home while saving you money each month in electricity bills.
Don’t underestimate your home-improvement project. Before you get started, put all the necessary steps into a project plan. Estimate for more time than you think the project will take. Then have someone else give you a second opinion on your project plan to make sure you did not leave any steps out.
It is never a bad idea to purchase handheld fire extinguishers for your home. Before you buy an extinguisher, take a moment to read the packaging for information on intended usage. Some extinguishers are effective only against certain types of fires. Ideally, an extinguisher should be suitable for paper, grease, wood, electrical, and trash fires. This should also be under consideration as you determine which rooms will have extinguishers at hand.
To remove gunk, grease and grime from your garbage disposal, add a handful of ice cubes, and a quartered lemon before turning it on. The ground ice will scrape the disposal clean, and the acid in the lemon will help to remove greasy build-up, keeping your disposal in good working order.
A simple way to improve your home inexpensively is to update the color and patterns of your textiles. New fabric window treatments can enliven any room. For the kitchen consider new pot holders, towels, napkins or place mats. In living areas, new pillow covers, throws or even fabric slipcovers for outdated furniture could be in order. Bedrooms will benefit from new bed-skirts, sheets or comforter covers. Be imaginative and use fabric to update and improve your home.
As you can see, there are a variety of things you can do around your home, both inside and outside, that will put your personal stamp on it. It doesn’t have to be a major change, because even the smallest things can make a big difference if done correctly and strategically.