Want to have a dream home? You can through renovations. This article will help you out if you plan on doing any home improvements. Each tip can teach you how to make your dream home a reality.
Add shutters to the outside windows on your home for a dramatic change in architecture. If your exterior looks a bit drab or flat, you can use this simple tip to give it much more depth and interest. Paint them a coordinating color to your house, often the color of the front door.
One way to lower your electric bill is to install a motion sensor on your outdoor lights. This way, the bright spotlights only come on when someone is outside and needs the light and then, turn off when not needed, saving on energy. Also, motion-detector outdoor lights can act as a deterrent against theft.
Stained wood is more aesthetically pleasing than painted whenever you're replacing baseboards. Stained wood baseboards can help to add depth to your room and make it seem more appealing. Stained baseboards also hide dings and scuffs better than wood and touch ups will blend easier. You will have the option to choose from many, many colors of stain that will match decor of any color.
Update any room with new flooring. Many contractors can install new flooring in a day. Alternately, you could visit your local hardware store, pick up what you need, and do it yourself.
A nice addition to any home is a nicely crafted fence. If your home is lacking a fence, you might decide it is time to build one. Fences look great in just about any home and can help raise the property value of your home. You can also feel a little more secure, as having a fence can help keep random strangers off your property.
Resurface the concrete walkways and driveways around your home for a new look. Replacing concrete can get incredibly expensive and doesn't add much to the curb appeal of your home. Consider resurfacing with cobblestone or brick which will cost a fraction of replacing concrete and will look like a million bucks.
When working on a home improvement project, make sure to buy high quality materials. You can save money initially if you buy appliances or cabinets that have imperfections but using these materials could reduce the value of your residence. If you always purchase the best for your home, the results will be astonishing.
Add some bling to a boring corner by hanging big costume jewelry pieces on a coat rack. But do not hang real jewelry on the rack, just costume jewelry. Having an attractive display of your jewelry adds to the decor of your room, as well as preventing tangled necklaces and chains. Keep your favorite necklaces within easy reach.
If you are working with a very small (less than eight feet wide) section of kitchen counter space, consider visiting a few local granite dealers in search of remnants. Larger dealers often discard these remnants and only charge a small amount for cutting and installing a small counter top. This is an excellent way to add high style to a small surface, and at a great deal no less.
Improving your home's curb appeal can be as easy as replacing a mailbox. A new, more modern mailbox can make your home feel upgraded. The project can often be completed in less than two hours. Just be sure to follow any Home Owners' Association guidelines when picking your mailbox out.
For slow-draining toilets caused by tree roots, use a foaming tree root remover in your toilet every six months. While regular granules of copper sulfate do work, only the tree roots that come into contact with the granules are killed. A foaming product fills the entire pipe with solution, ensuring that all of the roots die and break off, leaving your pipes free and clear.
If the caulking surrounding your tub is stained or mildewed, consider replacing it. With less than an hour of work, your bathroom will look much nicer. Use a screwdriver or other tool to remove the old caulking, and ensure that the surface is dry before applying the new caulking. Look for a variety specifically meant for bathrooms; many of these also resist mildew growth.
One of the easiest ways to improve your heating and air condition system is to clean the air vents. You know the air vents are dirty when they look black. Dust the vents thoroughly. Check the vents occasionally because if they turn black quickly, there may be a bigger problem.
If the purpose of your home improvement project is to help sell the house, you should keep in mind that simple cosmetic changes are often more effective than installing new complex systems. For example, while a floor heating system might be a very cool feature, a simple paint job is more effective. A paint job makes the house look fresh and attractive to all potential buyers, whereas a floor heating system is just a neat add-on and not a selling point.
Give your kitchen a new look by installing a backsplash. Ceramic or glass tiles, metal sheeting, or even broken plates, applied in a mosaic pattern, can make great backsplashes. Placing backsplashes on the walls behind the sink and stove, provide great protection from splashes and stains. You can continue the pattern around the entire room if you desire.
Siding
For a high-impact update that can be completed in less than a day, consider freshening up your front door with one or two coats of brightly colored, ultra-glossy paint. Homes with light-colored brick or siding look best with a bright red or blue door; darkly colored homes do best with a deep, cool color like eggplant or slate blue.
Add some curb appeal by adding a couple coats of some high-gloss paint to the shutters and front door of your home. Homes with light-colored brick or vinyl siding look especially attractive with bright red or blue paint; a darkly colored home exterior looks great with a deep, cool color like eggplant or jade green.
Before you begin painting the exterior of your home, it is critical to repair and prepare the surfaces you plan on repainting. Your paint job will not be durable if you do not prepare the surfaces properly. If your house has siding, any section that is damaged must be repaired. If the surface you are repainting is wood, remove any peeling, flaking, or blistering paint, before applying a new coat. This difficult job of removing paint can be done by scraping or sanding. Be sure to wear safety equipment, such as a dust mask and protective goggles, when removing the old paint.
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.
Always be sure to keep proper insulation in mind when you are considering replacing outdated siding on your house. When done right, you'll save money on utility bills and your property value will go up. This means more money will stay in your wallet!
The most important thing you need to know when choosing a new siding for your home is to know the R-Value. The R-Value is the measure of thermal resistance used in the building industry. Be sure you know the R-Value that is right for your zip code. These statistics are available through the US Department of Energy.
If you would like to get rid of your exterior siding on your home and replace it with original wood keep in mind that you will have to take appropriate steps to protect your wood. You can either paint it or use finisher. You will have to replace it when it eventually starts to peel and crack.
If you are considering replacing your siding with stucco, remember that installing stucco can be extremely expensive. Be sure you're ready to follow through with the necessary investment for installing stucco. You may have your heart set on a certain look, but you can also find a cheaper alternative.
Clean the outside of your home with a pressure washer. If you don't wish to buy one, renting a pressure washer is a viable option, and they can really make a difference in the house's look. Use extra care around windows, vents and between the roof and the walls. You do not want to knock things loose.
Are you thinking about whether or not vinyl siding is a good idea for you to improve your home with? If you're seeking renovations that increase the value of your home while improving its look, vinyl siding replacement is an excellent decision. It's reported that homeowners recoup about 80% of what they put into the siding.
Now that you've read the above article, you know how to make the best home improvements. If, at some point, you realize that you might be unsure of what the next step might be all you need to do is read through this article once again.