All homeowners know that it takes hard work and lots of money to own a home. On average, homeowners spend between 1 and 3 percent of their home’s value on repairs and improvement. Fortunately, there are so many opportunities to save money on projects around the house. This article is packed with ideas and inspiration to help you do just that!
In many cases, just a small project can make a huge different to a home’s value. When you are hoping to sell your home, a couple of small improvements should be considered. You could just give the interior and exterior of your home a new paint job. Such a simple and inexpensive upgrade on your end can add an enormous amount of value when selling.
Never rush headlong into renovations or projects without first creating a plan of action. If you want to stay withing your budget, you have to have a plan. Adding new work and new goals to a project that’s already underway can strain your budget and your schedule much more seriously than you might expect. By deciding what you want beforehand instead of having to pick things as you go, you will find that your contractors are also a lot happier.
Coffee Table
Try picking out a coffee table that is premade and different looking. An old chest or piece of luggage used as a coffee table can double as storage space. Place magazines and books on top of your coffee table to give it definition. If you want a country style, add a tablecloth and a tea set.
Exhaust fans should be installed in every bathroom, the laundry room, as well as above your stovetop. Venting this air will drastically reduce the probability of mildew and mold invading your home. You will also keep wetness from forming in the walls of your home that can cause rot.
For those with elderly individuals living with them, home improvements that add mobility and accessibility may be needed. A shower stall that you can step into is much safer than a bathtub with a shower. Grab bars are easily installed and will make your home a much safer environment for the family member as well.
If you have bought a home in an undeveloped area, or in the midst of a wooded area, consider installing a quality fence around the boundaries of your property. That will keep animals away from your house, especially if you are thinking about a garden.
Replacing an entire floor with wood, carpet, or tile can be a very costly project. One alternative to save some money would be staining the bare concrete. This creates a modern, industrial-inspired look that is highly versatile and easily changed to accommodate different decor.
Don’t just start painting the inside of your house. Prior to doing that, rub off any debris, dirt and oils that have collected on the baseboards and walls. The paint will better adhere to the cleaned wall, helping you steer clear of splotches and multiple coats.
Have a qualified electrician do work such as installing the electrical outlet for microwaves that are above stoves if you want to get the best results. This will make it easy to plug your microwave in without having the cord stretched across the countertop. Eliminating dangling cords is an easy way to improve the look of your kitchen.
Tired of your bedroom’s old dresser? If so, you can restore it to its former glory by sanding and refinishing it. Refinishing your furniture means you have to buy new furniture less often. The new stain can be just about any color you want.
If you have a tired, dated kitchen, consider a new sink. Your home will look better right away with a new sink. You can get new sinks in many colors, which gives you a chance to add some color to the decor of your kitchen.
Never ignore problems with mold or rust, no matter how small that problem seems to be. Older homes typically have this; unfortunately, it can quickly spread and become a serious problem. You have to fix them when they have just begun. A small headache can turn into a giant headache if you wait too long. Mold can be tackled with some bleach. You can sand away a little rust.
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.
If you’re not able to take proper care of the lawn, or you don’t wish to pay others to maintain it for you, think about installing a yard that’s low maintenance. Plants that don’t require much water and rock beds are very popular for this purpose. This sort of yard is cheap to maintain and it requires minimal work over time.
Attic Space
If you have a lot of attic space, invest in a dormer window to make it usable. This will improve the look of your house from the outside and give you much more attic space inside. It can also boost your living space and property value for a relatively low cost.
Do you plan on doing some home improvement? Use your creativity to re-purpose existing items to form new types of artwork for your space. Shop for picture frames that compliment the decor of your home.
It’s not hard to revamp most bathrooms and kitchens by installing (or replacing) ceramic tile. There is a lot of opportunity to get creative, or you have the option of keeping it simple. This home improvement project can really increase the decor of your home.
After you have looked over these hints, you will be able to save money when you go to buy your materials. By saving money on your home improvements, you will enjoy your home even more.