Every homeowner finds the topic of home improvement to be engaging conversation. Although we all want to have the nicest home possible, for many people, taking on a home improvement project can seem scary and overwhelming. The information in this article will help you gain the knowledge needed to take on some basic home improvement projects.
When looking to improve the value of your home, remodeling a bathroom can be a great step to take. Simple bathroom remodeling steps can include painting, changing out fixtures and installing new tiles. More elaborate efforts can include replacing bathtubs, toilets and sinks. Whatever route you choose, you’re sure to see an increased home value when you update your bathroom.
A new floor is a smart way to modernize any room. Whether you opt for carpet, laminate flooring, tile or even stained concrete, you have a few options. You can install some flooring on your own in a few days, or you can hire a professional for a major project.
If you don’t like to nail pictures to the wall because of the holes the nails make, an easy solution is buying mounting squares. Mounting squares can easily hold a few pounds and can be quickly removed without damaging your wall. Stick four squares altogether, one in each corner of your frame to mount your picture properly on your wall.
Replacing a kitchen or bathroom floor is especially easy if you use adhesive-backed vinyl tiles. Easier to handle than rolled vinyl flooring and less messy than regular vinyl tiles that require a sticky adhesive compound, this is a quick way to update your floor. It may take you longer to take the old flooring up than to put the new tiles down.
Choose area rugs instead of wall-to-wall carpeting. Area rugs can be moved and replaced easily, allow you to upgrade and adjust the style of your home anytime you like. In addition, area rugs can be cleaned quickly when they are stained; sometimes they can even be put in the washing machine.
Safety first! If your windows are covered with blinds, you should always tie or snip the cords. It is possible for kids and animals to accidentally strangle themselves on such cords. Make sure you do leave enough cord to maneuver the blinds, but make sure that the cord that does hang down serves no purpose. Eliminate the extra to avoid accidents from occurring.
Pile your home improvement lumber behind your couch! Don’t have a place to store your long pieces of lumber while you’re working on a project? Just pile it neatly behind your couch and no one will ever know it’s there. You’ll keep it dry, safe, and ready for the next time you are inspired!
When doing huge landscaping projects, talk to neighbors before doing drainage. A good plan will involve water drainage. Sometimes, the easiest method of doing so is to funnel it towards your neighbor, but they probably won’t like that! If you can get together and come to an agreement it will be better for everyone.
To add visual distinction and aesthetic interest to brickwork installed in your home improvement projects, make use of more exotic bonds. “Bond” is the technical term for the pattern that bricks are laid in. With a little research, you will find there are many options available besides the traditional stretcher bond. Many bonds add beautiful decoration to brickwork with little additional cost.
Soundproofing interior walls can be a great way to add to the value and comfort of a home. Soundproofing the walls may look beautiful and leave a luxurious feel, but not every wall needs such treatment. The important rooms to soundproof are bathrooms, bedrooms and equipment rooms. As long as you do not have an open floor plan, another great room to soundproof is the kitchen.
Create space in a cramped bathroom. Build floor-to-ceiling cabinets, and store similar items in baskets. This avoids any clutter on the countertop. A corner storage unit in your shower is perfect for holding shampoo, conditioner and any other items you may need. A great tip for creating space is to get rid of everything that isn’t used on a regular basis. This can include out of date medications in your medicine cabinet or beauty products that you tried and didn’t like. By clearing these out, you will have plenty of room for things that you actually use!
You may not like the look of AC units, but it is a must in places that experience very hot weather. Consider using a trellis or small fence to cover the equipment and make your yard look more beautiful. You can also try planting ornamental grasses, such as pampas grass, in the area, as long as you maintain 12 inches between the unit and the roots.
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.
Before starting any demolition job in your house, take steps to minimize the mess. Lay down plastic and contain the area you will be working in. Keep your tools confined to the work area as well. Demolition is a messy job and having to clean a mess throughout the entire house can take hours of extra time.
Get new window treatments. Window treatments are a cheap, fast way to change the appearance of a room, and something as simple as replacing window treatments can help you re-imagine a space. Stick to fabrics and materials that are easy to clean, and you’ll be on the way to great window coverings that look great.
Now you probably know that you shouldn’t feel like any home improvement project is daunting. After you have completed your project, you will feel empowered, and will have new skills to use on your next project. The tips you have learned in this article can equip you with the right foundation of knowledge to handle your next project.