Home Improvement Tips For Novices And Experts

by Laura Posted on

Your home’s value can be increased depending on the home improvement projects that you undertake. If you pick a renovation or addition project that you can do without outside help, you can save a lot of cash while increasing your home’s value. It can become your new hobby! If you want get into the home improvement game, read these easy-to-understand tips that will help you get started.

Sometimes, you only need one little improvement to raise a home’s value. When you are hoping to sell your home, a couple of small improvements should be considered. One thing you can do is to paint you home inside and outside. Even this simple project that may only cost a few hundred dollars can increase your home’s value by a thousand dollars or more!

Keep an eye out for sales on carpet installation by home-improvement stores. Often, they will reduce the cost of installation to extremely low levels to help sell the actual carpet. This is a wonderful opportunity to replace your carpeting, and you will save money on installation.

Fans are great for cooling your home. They circulate air and make your home more comfortable. Fans help decrease the energy that is spent on the air conditioner. As a result, your electric bill can be decreased.

If you use mud for drywall you can put texture on your walls and hide problems. This texturing process isn’t difficult. Once the drywall mud is troweled, you simply grab a brush with bristles, a sponge or an empty plastic bag, and then use whatever you grab to create texture on the drywall mud by dabbing.

To remedy squeaks in your floor, utilize construction adhesive. Go underneath your floor to apply the adhesive. With a caulker, put some glue on all the floor joists, so that glue secures subfloor planks to each joist.

If there are small holes in walls from hanging pictures or paintings, try using spackle to renew the walls. Go to your local home improvement store to purchase the spackle. You don’t need much for small holes. If the hole is really small, then you can use something as small as a bobby pin to apply spackle onto it. Smooth the spackle when have successfully filled in the hole. Then paint right over it. This will make the holes in your wall disappear overnight!

Use different items as your coffee tables instead of traditional store bought tables. One alternative is to use vintage luggage in lieu of a coffee table. As a bonus, this option also adds extra storage. Throw your magazines, books and accessories on top to give your coffee table definition. You can even add a tablecloth and some decorative teacups if you want a more country look.

When it comes time to purchase furnishings, shy away from living room pieces that have active patterns in the upholstery. These patterns will have to match other aspects of the room. Purchase furniture that is decorated or made in solid colors and tones, …

Landscaping, Tips For A More Beautiful Yard!

by Laura Posted on

Some people have very simple and straightforward landscaping goals. At other times, however, it can require advanced techniques or ideas to create a work of art to make the home into a landscape masterpiece. Whatever type of landscape you want to create, the tips that follow can help you reach your desires.

If you want to transform your yard, try re-edging your flower and rock beds using a soft, curved design. Using a curved line helps to provide a more modern feel. It’s relatively inexpensive to cut fresh edges and they will make a big difference.

Fill your yard with native plants. Local plants are batter able to handle your soil conditions and are less likely to develop problems. This means that taking care of them would not require a lot of maintenance. Any greenhouse can tell you which plants are ideally suited for your area.

Is selling your home being considered? You should know that landscaping is one home improvement project that could generate between 100 and 200 percent return on your investment. Enhance curb appeal by sprucing up the front lawn, or create a great living space to hang out in your backyard.

Don’t try to accomplish all of your landscaping projects at the same time. Divide your landscaping plans into different phases, taking into account the different seasons and levels of difficulty. It will also enable you to make changes in your design if you feel the need to make changes.

Carefully consider your plant choices, as this will determine the success of your landscaping once the planting portion is done. You shouldn’t use plants that need sunlight in shaded areas. If there is not much room for plant growth, it is not wise to place a tree in that location. Take time to be certain your plants will grow well where they are planted.

Many people do not realize that you do not have to hire an expert to plan your landscaping. Hiring a professional can lead to paying out a serious amount of money before all is said and done. However, it may be wise to have consultation with a landscaper who can guide you on what you should and should not do.

Before you develop your landscape plan, be sure to make note of any existing structures in your yard. Make sure your landscaping plans will not disturb underground cables or sprinkler pipes. Also call your local municipality to come out and mark the underground wires before you begin digging.

If you are trying to get a lot of color in your yard or garden area, but do not have a large budget, consider wildflowers. Wildflowers can be bought cheaply and planted easily. This will provide a visually pleasing variety of colors. A mix of flowers makes for great bouquets.

As you know, landscaping means different things to different people. Some of those who landscape it view it as routine maintenance to their yard, while others may see it as an artistic process. By …

Easy Solutions For Do-It-Yourself Home Improvement

by Laura Posted on

Some homeowners are apprehensive about home improvement projects. They worry that such work is dusty, costly and a real time drain. Fears can be reduced by having plenty of knowledge. Often, researching your home improvement project will ensure a job well done. This article has all the tips you might require.

If you use mud for drywall you can put texture on your walls and hide problems. It’s easy to texture. Apply drywall mud and, using a brush or a sponge, add some texture to the mud.

Spackle and paint can repair wall holes made by paintings. Spackle is readily available at your local home improvement or hardware store. You don’t need much for small holes. For really small holes, apply spackle with a bobby pin. Once it dries, use something rigid to smooth it over the hole. Top with paint. The holes will disappear.

Your ceramic tile can lose its luster after a while and appear grungy. Try using a water/vinegar solution to clean it up. With a bucket in hand, pour your solution and start mopping. Doing this will clear away the gunk and will leave your floors looking as good as new.

If you have a window screen that needs to be replaced, and are having trouble finding one that will fit your window, it is not hard to make it yourself. All it takes is a framing kit, which can be assembled to fit any size window and then installed with simple tools and cord. Your window may need a special screen type, but you can still make an external screen using adapters.

The cost of getting a new roof is often one of the more costly things to fix on a house. Solicit price quotes from no less than three contractors and make sure you have verified their references. Whether you want composite shingles, lightweight tile, metal, or wood shake on your roof, you’ll have a lot of choices. Skilled roofing professionals can guide your decision.

Houses with good curb appeal often sell for considerably higher prices than other similar homes. Remember though, that extra cost may not be an investment, but just a premium charge for aesthetic pleasures. Future home buyers might not be as impressed by the view and might not be interested in paying a higher price for it.

Replacing the cabinet handles and drawer pulls in your kitchen is a quick, cheap way to improve its appearance. Replacing knobs on cabinets is a easy way to impact the look of your home. Replacing your cabinet hardware also gives you an excellent excuse to give your cabinets a thorough cleaning. This process is faster and more thorough when you don’t have the knobs and handles in the way. You can install your new cabinet accessories quickly, and enjoy the decor upgrade you get from them for years to come!

As this article has shown, there are many ways to alleviate the fears associated with home improvement projects. Following the advice in the …

Learn How To Do Home Improvement Like A Pro

by Laura Posted on

It seems like there are always some things that can be done to make your house better. Maybe you have been lazy and reluctant because you are not sure what you are doing. If that is your reasoning, get some advice in the article that follows.

Paint stripes on walls in the color of your paneling before the paneling is installed. Often even the most carefully installed paneling allows a bit of the old wall to peek through. In order to lessen this showing, measure the meeting point of the panels. Paint wall strips with a color that is going to match the paneling color.

A good home improvement tip to use is to be creative when selecting a coffee table. An old chest or piece of luggage used as a coffee table can double as storage space. To create some definition on your coffee table, throw some books, magazines and accessories on it. You can even give it a country feel by including some teacups and a tablecloth.

When doing home improvement projects, you must have the proper tools. If you lack the appropriate tools and materials, it will be much more difficult to complete the project correctly and in a timely manner. It also helps to know what the best way to use each tool is.

Downspouts, gutters and chimneys often do not get the attention they deserve in an annual maintenance schedule. Inspect your gutters and chimneys at least once a year, and make repairs if you need to. If your chimney is not cleaned regularly it may catch fire, and downspouts and gutters may become obstructed with debris, this can result in water damage when not addressed.

Make sure that you install a window or proper ventilation in your bathroom. Mold will easily grow in the bathroom because there is a lot of humidity there. Even applying paint to the walls will not completely remove the mold. It is better to make a change to prevent it from forming in the first place. Install a ventilation fan or a window to reduce the humidity in the space.

The caning on a chair will eventually sag. You can easily repair your caning to its original form with a simple trick. Simply soak the bottom of the cane chair seat with water. A sponge is useful for this purpose. It’s important that you use warm water to do this. Let it dry overnight. Keep going until all the caning is fixed.

To make a room feel airy, wide-open, and tranquil, stick with light, low-saturation shades of pastel colors such as blue, green, or lavender. Get rid of fabrics that are dark-colored or have heavy texture; in place of them, use cottons and linens. To complete the tranquil theme use potpourri or lightly scented candles.

Home improvement projects will help your family enjoy your home more. Not every project is going to cost you a great deal. You’ll find there are plenty of little ways to make dramatic improvements …

Be Ready for the Emergency Home Repair

by Laura Posted on

A little bit of knowledge can save you big money with repair bills, whether you plan on doing the repair yourself or if a professional contractor will have to be called in. With proper advance planning and preparation, you can keep a malfunction from becoming a major and costly damage crisis.
Electrical
Know the location of the shutoffs for the home electricity. Make sure the circuit breakers or fuses are all appropriately marked and that the identifiers can easily be read by the light of even a dim flashlight.
Just because you have shut off the electricity to a room or appliance, don’t assume that there is no voltage to the appliance or outlet. Check and double check to make sure that there is no electricity running through to avoid property damage or injury. Use a voltage tester to make sure you won’t get an unexpected shock.
Gas
Locate the main shut off valve for the gas line into your home. Make sure every family member knows the location. Make sure you are familiar with how the valve works. In an emergency like a leak, shut off the outside main valve first to keep leakage to a minimum. Once the main line has been closed, you will have the time to access the shutoff valve for the appliance without being overcome by fumes.
Water
A broken water line can quickly cause a lot of damage. Most sinks and toilets, as well as electrical appliances that use water have a shutoff valve in the vicinity of the fixture. But it’s always important to know where the main shut off valve is located in case the damaged water line or pipe is spewing water before it gets to the shutoff valve.…

Kitchen Decorating Ideas and Themes

by Laura Posted on

Kitchen decorating ideas allow you to transform your room without spending a lot of money. You might want to give your space a fresh new look every few years. You use your kitchen every day in some aspect so you want to make sure that it’s a space that you truly enjoy. Here are a few tips for kitchen decorating ideas.
Start off with one item that you truly love and then work on from there. This could even be the jumping off point for the rest of your room. Mosaic glass tile comes in a variety of colors and finishes and it has a very contemporary or modern feel to it. You could add in a backsplash to give a little character and color to a room that is completely neutral. This allows you to put your personal stamp on the space without it being a complete remodel. The tile that you choose will completely affect the rest of your design style. For instance, you could choose a hand painted Spanish tile for more of a warm feeling by bringing in a lot of beautiful cobalt blues and terra-cotta colors.
Pattern is used in a lot of different design styles but for some reason it’s almost always left out of the kitchen. You can bring it in several different ways to really give a little bit of life to your room. For instance, you can try using a very subtle stencil on your cabinets. You could also go with a raised stencil that will really give you more of the look of an architectural element. These are often made from plaster. If you do go with something like a stencil you want to make sure that you change out the colors so you keep it sophisticated. Stencils aren’t just for the country design style; they add a very custom touch to your cabinets or walls.
Another popular theme for kitchens is just to go with a specific design style. This would be a lot more sophisticated than a basic theme room. It will also have a lot of versatility and a lot of different color palettes and styles that you can go with in each design style. Some basic design styles are shabby chic, country, French country, classic, Art Deco, modern, contemporary, and Tuscan. Any of these design styles will help you choose items in a specific color palette. It will also give you some direction to really create a cohesive space in your home that speaks to who you are.…

Laminate Floor Cleaning & Maintenance

by Laura Posted on

Laminate flooring has emerged as an extremely popular alternative to traditional wood flooring. When you take into consideration the beauty of these floors, cheaper cost, and its ease of installation, it is easy to see why.
Laminate flooring is pretty easy to maintain. The most important weapon in your arsenal is a trusty broom or vacuum (with beater bar turned off!). This is true for any floor surface in your home. Side note: If you ever hire a professional cleaner (carpet, tile & grout, etc.) always ask what their first step is. If they don’t vacuum or sweep first, then you need to immediately look for a more “Professional” cleaner. Once you have gotten all the excess “dry soil” off your floor, then basically all you need to do is a quick mopping. I highly recommend a microfiber mop, as they are perfect for these floors.
For weekly maintenance you can just use water. Make sure you ring out the mop as much as possible, as you want to avoid too much moisture. The pad should just be damp. You should also avoid vinegar on your laminate floors. I see a lot of people on the internet that recommend this as a budget cleaner, however, vinegar is an acid. If you repeatedly expose your floor to acid it can potentially damage the aluminum oxide coating of the laminate, thus dulling your floor. If your floor requires more cleaning power than a damp pad, then there are cleaners available that were engineered specifically for that.
Avoid waxes and polishes as well. Again, there are other products available that will restore your shine without any of the adverse effects. Finally, there may be no better defense for your flooring than a strategically placed mat or mats. This can make a huge difference, especially if your laminate floor is by an outside entry point.
Perhaps a bigger problem for laminate floors are scratches from pets or furniture. The reason scratches give laminate floor owners such a headache is that a laminate floor is actually a picture of wood placed on melamine which is placed on a particle board and coated with aluminum oxide. The aluminum oxide coating – which is the top surface (wear layer), is very thin. Unlike wood, laminate cannot be sanded down and refinished. Therefore if you get scratches your options are limited. At this point you basically have 3 ways to go. You can replace the entire floor, buy a special repair kit and try to fill in the scratches by hand, or buy a laminate cleaning product that can hide those scratches. Obviously this will also depend on the severity and frequency of those scratches, but needless to say replacement is the “if nothing else works” option.
Laminate flooring does require some special attention and care, but all in all, it is a very easy to maintain flooring option. They are designed to last up to 20 years, and with the proper care and maintenance, there is no …

Kitchen Flooring

by Laura Posted on

Choosing the right option for kitchen flooring is essential for any homeowner looking to remodel or refurbish an outdated kitchen. Since the kitchen is one of the most highly-trafficked rooms of the house, it is essential that flooring options are durable and reliable, as well as easy to clean. The ideal flooring options can safely take a beating from drops, spills and more, as well as a constant flow of foot traffic in and out. Choosing a stylish, yet affordable option from a reputable dealer is the best option for experienced renovators and DIY home improvement aficionados alike. Wood, vinyl and tile are often the most common materials used, and all have their benefits and drawbacks that need to be considered prior to making a final purchase.
Vinyl
Vinyl is the most affordable option to homeowners on a budget, and it is available in an almost endless supply of styles, designs and colors for any desired d?�cor. Vinyl is also easy to clean and maintain. However, because vinyl is so inexpensive upfront, it is less durable than some of the other options out there, and it may need to be replaced regularly in order to avoid damage.
Tile
Ceramic tiles can be a longer-lasting alternative to vinyl while still being budget friendly. Tiles are easily maintained and easily cleaned, and are able to withstand scratches, dents or other damage commonly experienced in high-trafficked areas. However, if the structure of the house experiences movement, it is easy for ceramic tiles to break or crack and damage the floor. Tiles are also more slick when wet, and can raise some safety concerns that need to be taken into account especially if there are children in the household. Ceramic tiles do come in a variety of options though, and a textured surface can reduce the possibility of accidental falls or injuries.
Wood
Wood floors may seem a risky choice when considering flooring options for the kitchen given its susceptibility to moisture damage. But wooden floors offer a unique and pleasant feel to a very popular room of the home, and are easily maintained when installed properly. Wood is very resilient to high volume traffic and can withstand a lot of impact that would otherwise damage an alternative floor surface. If a wooden floor has been selected for your kitchen, it is imperative that it is coated with a substantial protective finish to keep out moisture and spills common in the kitchen or bathroom.
When shopping for a new flooring solution for the home, it may be tempting to peruse the selection often found in big retail chains specializing in home remodeling, but that’s not always the best option available. Local dealerships that specialize in home flooring often offer better deals as well as higher quality products than those offered in mass-production alternatives. By locating a reputable and trustworthy local dealer, customers can get higher satisfaction as well as specialized advice in purchasing their kitchen flooring, and are sure to get products that match …

Coordinate a Home Upgrade With Different Rooms and Contractors

by Laura Posted on

In a time where the housing market is slow, it is easier and more practical to upgrade the home one already has, rather than buy a new one when things start appearing worn and tired. This can be done by combining the projects with several reliable contractors that work well together. They can coordinate the work so that one does not step on the toes of the others or has to rip up work that has already been completed to start their own portion of a project.
Kitchen
Often the focal point of families, the kitchen sees a lot of activity. A kitchen renovation in Northern Virginia can give the entire room a facelift in functionality and decor. A kitchen sink and its surrounding countertop areas should be a clean and functional set-up. A small sink with turning faucets can be replaced with a sink made from one, two or three sturdy basins made from natural stone, stainless steel or ceramics with multiple features added to the faucet area. Replacement counters should complement the sink and cabinets. They should cater to the routines and purpose of the person using them the most. Some surfaces are better for cutting and preparing meats and vegetables. For the baker, rolling dough is easy on some surfaces and not others. One of the more popular changes in kitchen home remodeling is the increase in cabinet space.
Natural Stone Surfaces
Marble, soapstone and granite flooring add a touch of elegance and can upgrade the look and feel of any room in the home. For example, natural stone flooring is easy to maintain, providing a clean finish to hallways, kitchens, bathrooms and even stairwells. It is a practical replacement for damaged wood floors, burnt Formica countertops or cracked ceramic bathroom tiles. Using a reliable granite or marble Northern Virginia contractor to perform the installation assures proper handling of the materials and creation of a level surface. The floor surface can also be coordinated with other natural stone products in the home, particularly in the bathroom or kitchen. This might include countertops, end tables and fixtures.
Home Waterproofing Services
When considering the long-term durability of a home, its foundation and infrastructure are crucial. The telltale signs of water damage are slow to appear. Leaks accumulate and grow over time. Multiple turns of water and moisture affect a home’s roof basement, creating damage more to he walls and foundation. A quality waterproofing Northern Virginia contractor can prevent or repair the bows, buckles and wood rot. Water enters a basement five different ways. Whether practicing preventive maintenance or shoring up an existing problem, a qualified waterproofing contractor can extend the longevity of a home.…

Kitchen Design Tips – 5 Ideas You Can Do In A Weekend

by Laura Posted on

Looking for kitchen design tips that will add character and charm, but won’t break the bank? The secret to innovative yet inexpensive kitchen renovation ideas is in the finishing touches. Try these 5 kitchen design tips and see what a lift attention to small details can bring.
1. Open your uppers – Remove the doors on your upper cabinets to give a more contemporary and a more spacious and sand down holes left from the hinge paint or finish natural.
Paint or finish the interiors to match the lower , paint the cabinet interiors an accent color for some extra flair.
2. Splashy Seconds – Transform the look of your kitchen with a new full height tile back-splash. By full height, I mean the space between the top of your lower cabinets to the bottom of your uppers–usually about 18 inches (45 – 46 cm).
Because the area is relatively small, material costs for your back-splash will normally be , you can really cash in on some high-end savings by buying seconds. These are tiles with imperfections–most of them barely noticeable, if at all. I have found great deals on some of the more expensive tiles. Many outfits sell these tiles by the pound…usually 50% to 80% off.
Some clients even request seconds because they feel the flaws and blemishes bring character.
3. Vintage-look Flooring – Add some pizazz with a new floor made of old-school material: linoleum.
Linoleum tiles are easy to to , naturally anti-microbial.
Take a look at what Marmoleum has to offer. Their tiles come in a ton of different shades – including brights like greens, reds and blues. They average about $4.99 US per square foot. Also check out tiles by Mannington and TrafficMaster.
4. Hardware Heaven – Update your cabinets by changing out the knobs or pulls as we call them.
If your cabinets have a natural wood finish, you’ll probably want to find new hardware with the same “footprint” as your old stuff, so that the new pulls cover the old screw holes. If your cabinets are painted, you can fill and touch up any old holes or marks. If there are no pulls currently on your cabinets then the world’s your oyster.
You’ll be amazed at how this simple kitchen design idea can update things. It’s like putting on the right jewelry. Check out your local Home Improvement Center, most have good try an online store like Restoration Hardware for a truly impressive selection of cabinet pulls.
5. Rack Em Up – Install a pot rack and save on valuable cabinet space.
This design idea takes a couple hours. It adds a touch of class to any , I love them because I can always find the pot I’m looking for instantly. Also at Restoration Hardware and available too through Crate and Barrel where they start at $120.00 US.
I hope these kitchen design tips inspire you. I want you all to realize that you can work on your own spaces even …

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