MY-IRISH-HOMETOWN

Leading Your Home

Tag: improvement

Ask Family Members To Help With Home Improvement Projects

by Louise B. Delia

Home improvement can be very fun, for the novice and professional alike. Don’t let television home improvement shows turn your head. There is a lot more to a home improvement project than something that is extremely big. The following tips will teach you how to improve your home while having fun at the same time.

Consider a combo unit if you don’t have much space available for a separate washing machine and dryer. Select a tiny washer that can fit between two cupboards. The combo unit will wash clothes, and then dry them.

Make sure you have a good place for all leftover debris when you start your next big home improvement project. Removing a lot of debris can cost quite a bit, so planning for a space to put it in can keep your project running smoothly.

As you start out doing your renovations, do not demolish things too fast. It is essential to investigate what is behind your walls prior to tearing them out. Avoid expensive repair bills from damaged electrical wiring by carefully examining the area first.

When it comes to home improvement, it is wise to plan ahead. When you jump into a project with little or no planning, it often leads to a disaster as a result of indecisiveness and poor decision making. Planning ahead will help the work go faster and will keep last minute costs to a minimum.

Add some personality like a nice bold print if you think your room doesn’t have personality. Animal prints are a good choice as well. Leopard print pillows or zebra striped cushions are a good choice, as are posters and wall art.

Spruce up your kitchen by putting new knobs and pulls on the cabinets. New knobs and cabinet hardware can make a big difference in a kitchen’s appearance, and installing them takes minimal effort. When you take off the old knobs you should clean the inside of your cabinets and also wipe the outside down. Screw on your new knobs and you’re finished!

Glaze your bathrooms with something new to freshen their appearance. A new glaze will make your fixtures look brand new. While new floors can be expensive, reglazing your existing tile usually costs less than $500. Re-glazing the tile and ceramic surfaces in your bathroom is an easy, inexpensive way to increase your home’s value.

Installing a shower should probably be a high-priority home improvement project for you if your home doesn’t have one. Not only is a shower more convenient than a tub, but it also more cost effective. The numbers don’t lie. A quick shower consumes only 25% of the water that a full bathtub does.

As mentioned earlier, home improvement is a great activity that anyone can partake in. With some knowledge of the basics, you can take on the projects you once would have left to the pros. Keep all of the tips fresh in the front of your mind and start chopping away at the needed jobs once they’ve had time to soak.…

Continue Reading

Home Improvement Suggestions That Every Homeowner Should Know About

by Louise B. Delia

Disappointments abound when a home owner decides to begin a home improvement project. Hiring the wrong people, not enough planning and attempting tasks you lack the experience for are all contributing factors. In this article we will discuss some important tips to help your next home improvement project go well. This article will help!

It is often more manageable to approach home improvement one room or area at a time. Just improve different rooms gradually to save you some money and time. Plan your project beforehand and look for good deals on prices. A great way to save cash in home improvement is by planning ahead.

For a quick and affordable way to update the appearance of your master or guest bathroom, consider purchasing coordinated metal fixtures. You can find matching fixtures in stores or online. These include towel racks, showers curtains, toilet paper holders and other things. You can put these in quickly and easily, especially if you buy the prepackaged coordinating sets available at your local DIY store.

Prior to purchasing hardwood flooring, ask a professional about the status of your existing floors. Your home might be one of the many that has potentially-attractive original hardwood lurking beneath multiple layers of tile, linoleum, vinyl, or carpet. If this is the case, you’ll just need to strip the old carpet or flooring and refinish the natural floor underneath.

Homes with an attractive view generally fetch a higher sale price. However, the extra cost may not be worth it to others. Future home buyers might not be as impressed by the view and might not be interested in paying a higher price for it.

A great improvement idea for a home with children is to pad sharp furniture. There are prefabricated corner covers available for purchase; however, foam tape can also achieve the desired effect. A huge threat to young children are cords and strings. Be sure that they are taped down or far out of the reach of children.

Most homes do not have natural lighting in the basement. Be sure to have an artificial lighting layout plan so your basement is livable. If you are lucky, your basement walls may extend above ground level. If this is the case, you will be able to add some windows for ambient lighting.

Before you embark on a major landscape project, be sure the construction and style of your improvements enhance other aspects of your property, including your home. A deck or gazebo that complement the style of the home can bring everything together. On the other hand, mismatched styles can seem unplanned and unattractive.

An unsightly AC unit might be unattractive, but it might be necessary. 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.

If you do not properly manage your home improvement project, you can easily run into problems. This article has given you some tips for you to manage and plan the next home improvement task you do. Use these tips to boost your worthwhile investment.…

Continue Reading

Make Home Improvement Easy By Using This Advice

by Louise B. Delia

You don’t have to be naturally “handy” to do your own home improvement. You can get more out of home improvements than just a nice place to spend your time. When done right, home improvements increase your property’s value. This article provides you with some tips for getting a lot done with the next home improvement job you do.

Store material that you’re using for building between floor joists or ceiling rafters. This is the best place to store large and long materials such as two by fours. All you have to do is nail furring strips along rafters or exposed floor joists and slide in the material that you want stored.

When you need to replace a lock, you can opt to replace the entire assembly, or you can just replace the cylinder. The locking action is performed by the cylinder. If you don’t have a key and you need your lock to be changed to be more safe, you can replace the cylinder. On the other hand, if you want to improve the overall appearance and/or security of a door, you’ll want to change out the whole lock unit.

Whenever you need to go the home improvement store, it is best that you have a checklist of all the things you have to use. When you know exactly what you need, you’ll never forget anything.

Brighten up your house’s kitchen by adding new cabinet handles and knobs! New knobs and cabinet hardware can make a big difference in a kitchen’s appearance, and installing them takes minimal effort. Make sure to clean the cabinet doors well, because new knobs or handles on dirty, dingy looking doors detract from the newness of the fixtures. All you have to do after that is screw the new hardware into place!

If you think about it, it should be obvious why a good front door can make a property up to 10% more valuable. You could update your front door and give it a completely new look by simply purchasing a new lock or doorknob.

Clean the gutters to make sure rain water drains correctly. Clogged gutters can lead to leaks in your roof and damage to your basement due to seepage. Always clean your gutters of leaves and debris to prevent this.

Floor stain can make your basement look better. It can make the space look fresh and updated without the headache and costs associated with a replacement floor. It will keep your floors easier to clean and enhance their durability. Try to find a stain that adds both shine and luster. People will think that your floors cost much more than they really did.

These are just some of the things you can do around your home. As with any skill, it is always wise to keep learning to hone your abilities. Doing some research in advance can impact whether or not your home renovation project is successful. Be sure you’re able to understand your project thoroughly prior to tackling it.…

Continue Reading

Don’t Have The Mindset That You Can’t Tackle Home Improvement Tasks

by Louise B. Delia

A home-improvement project can be both fun and frightening. By working on home improvements over the weekend with someone you love, you can accomplish your goals together. You’ll save a ton by doing it on your own! If you review the advice presented below, you’ll be well positioned to plan and execute the home improvement project of your dreams.

If you must patch your roof, aluminum tape that is three inches wide is all you need to do the job. Make sure that the surface is dry and clean, and then simply peel back the tape and press it on there like you’re using duct tape. It will act as a waterproof surface for cracks.

Know what style you are looking for before beginning any type of home improvement. Figuring out what your decorating style is will help you decide what improvements to make on your home. If you’re not paying attention, you might choose decorations in multiple styles without noticing that they clash. At this point, it may cost more to change the style back to what you originally intended.

Increase your home’s energy efficiency by adding weather stripping to your doors and windows. Hardware stores feature this fix relatively cheap, and it seals air in and out, thus boosting the effectiveness of your home’s heating and cooling. It will also make those cold nights a whole lot less chilly indoors.

Are there small holes and imperfections on your walls from hanging things? Use spackle. All home improvement stores sell spackle. You only need a little spackle to fill small holes. Use a pin to spackle the really small holes. Once it dries try smoothing the hole with a card so that it is flush. Roll or brush on paint. Suddenly, you’ll have walls with no holes in them.

Chipping paint and ceilings, and rotting decks with water damage can be seen easily when checking home you wish to buy. There can be items like roof defects, electrical problems, poor ventilation, structural damage, etc. that only experienced inspectors can spot. Invest some money prior to purchasing a home and save a lot of money in the future on repairs.

Insulate the attic to save money on heating costs. Heat tends to rise and without proper attic insulation; it seeps out of your house and runs your energy costs up substantially. Insulation is easily obtained at many hardware or home improvement stores and can be simple to install.

You might find it easier to construct your own window screen if you can’t find a replacement in the size you need. All window sizes can be cut via frame kits and then you just have use cording to actual attach the screen. Even if your window requires an external screen with special attachments, you’ll find appropriate adapters available that can be easily added to any screen.

Now that you have a well thought out plan, you can start the project confidently. Doing your own repair and renovation work is a great way to learn more about your home and make it more livable. It can be great to relax and reflect on the great savings and the accomplishments you’ve achieved.…

Continue Reading

Begin Your Project With These Home Improvement Tips

by Louise B. Delia

Too many people are afraid of tackling home improvements. It may seem too expensive, time consuming or messy for them. Learning a little about the process beforehand can help minimize these fears. Learning more about the type of projects you are interested in is a great way to get started. Some of the tips you need are found right here.

Use aluminum foil to cover your outlet covers and switch plates before you paint. You’ll find foil much simpler to use than any type of tape, and it covers just as well to protect from splatters. And cleaning up is a snap! Remember to remove and recycle the foil only after the paint has dried.

Put bleach in your toilet bowl to keep it clean. Although the smell is not desirable, it is quite effective. Use some scented bleach if you need to mask the smell.

One home improvement tip that works well is to be sure you create a contract with the person doing the work when they come to see your problem. A contract means extra charges will not arise, as well as you not having to worry about exploitation. No contract, no recourse.

A home with a nice view is usually slightly more valuable. Do not consider a nice view as an investment since a view can change over the years, or different buyers might not enjoy it as much as you. Those looking to buy your home may not see this as a nice view.

A great improvement idea for a home with children is to pad sharp furniture. Many stores offer specialized corner protectors for such an occasion. If you cannot locate them, a simple layer of foam and tape will suffice temporarily. Make sure, too, that you remove a potential tripping and strangling hazard for your children by taping down all loose wires.

Bathrooms should always have a ventilation fan or a window. Hot water and humidity can cause dangerous mold to grow. Painting your walls repeatedly will not get rid of mold. Therefore, something should be done that will prevent mold growth altogether. Vents and windows can effectively dehumidify the space.

Instead of using a table lamp, use a floor lamp to create more space on your nightstand. Lamps that sit on the floor can be switched around, while lamps that sit on the table take up valuable space. Select a lamp that complements your decor.

Stain the floors in your basement to make it look nicer. It is fairly inexpensive, and it looks good as well. It will keep your floors easier to clean and enhance their durability. Go with something that will make the floor shiny. This can make your floors look much more expensive than they actually are.

A home improvement project is nothing to fear for the well-prepared homeowner. Great tips like those used here keep projects within the budget, on time, and free from hassle. Educate yourself about home improvement to alleviate your fears, and complete projects to make your home more beautiful, useful and valuable.…

Continue Reading

Guick Tips And Strategies On Home Improvement

by Louise B. Delia

It’s easy to begin a home improvement job by imagining the final look, but it’s also important to map out how you get there. These guidelines will help you in making home improvement as easy as possible.

There are times when only one little improvement can increase the value of your home. If you are planning to sell the house you live in, make some small improvements. For instance, paint your house, both inside and out. A small investment like this could raise the value of the home by quite a bit.

Think about using stain instead of paint on your baseboards for your next home improvement. On top of their classic appeal, they also give an aura of warmth. Painted wood tends to show every mark you could ever imagine, whereas stained wood camouflages imperfections much more easily. Stain is also very affordable and you can find it in a wide range of colors.

When doing home improvement, watch the highly visible improvements. Buyers will judge a home on visual appeal and may be deterred from buying if they notice something wrong. It is very true that a lot of home improvments cannot be seen but you need to take care of the ones that can be seen first.

Anyone who owns a home can fix their own faucets which leak. You will lessen your water usage if you fix them right away. This project will save you money on your water bill.

When you undertake any home improvement project, don’t destroy things too quickly. You have to be able to see what you are tearing down before you remove something. If there are electrical components involved, you may have to spend a lot of money to fix the mess that you made.

If considering a wood-burning fireplace, consider the downside. Apart from reasons related to aesthetics, this system could be inefficient due to the heat having to go through the chimney. Fires also require a lot of oxygen to burn properly, a lot of wood to keep going, and the wood produces a lot of soot and grit. It’s just not very appealing.

Most basements have little natural lighting. Plan the artificial lighting in the basement of your home well if you want it to be usable. Some basements have walls which reach above the ground outside. If that is the case, you should be able to put in windows to bring in natural light.

To give the illusion of space in a room, move furniture out away from the walls. It makes the room seem like there’s more square footage, and it looks very modern too.

If a home improvement project will require using your street, be courteous and tell your neighbors well ahead of time. Sometimes it is necessary to block traffic on your street for deliveries or large equipment. You will make your neighbors more comfortable if they know about it before hand.

The key to making home improvements the proper way is to have a reliable plan. These tips in this article give you a good start on all different kinds of home improvements. Take your time, invest in quality equipment and your project will turn out great.…

Continue Reading

Home Improvement Tips That Will saved You A Ton Of Money.

by Louise B. Delia

Do you want to learn the best ways to make your home a bit more perfect? Whether you wish to replace a front door or reinstate a missing railing, the sky is the limit. You can receive a lot of enjoyment from home improvement projects. Following the valuable home improvement tips in this article can make your project simple.

It’s crucial that you regularly replace air filters. It is healthier for breathing inside the house, but it also conserves your air conditioner and heating units. Blocked filters are a common cause of calls to repair people.

You can create a higher ceiling appearance by using simple and clever techniques. Consider painting vertical stripes on the walls, or adding a floor lamp. If you do this in the room, you will make the eyes follow that pattern. Your ceilings will look higher and your rooms will look bigger.

Consider the character of your neighborhood when planning home improvement projects. A Victorian-styled home amongst a row of small, cute saltbox cottages stands out, and not in a good way. If your remodel blends in with the other homes, your chances will be greater of selling your home in the future.

When you are going to do some renovations, decide what room you want to do first. Keep in mind that remodeling can be tackled room by room to preserve your budget. Before beginning any home improvement project, write out a detailed plan so you can keep a watch out for sales on the items you need. This will help you save money on your next home improvement project.

Before you pop open that can of paint and get your brush out, remember that you need to protect your flooring. This helps keep wet paint off of your flooring. Using old layers of newspaper is an inexpensive and very effective way to protect your flooring. Other options include plastic sheeting and paint cloths.

Seal cracks and openings that exist around your home, as this keeps bugs out and your warm or cool air in. Use caulk to seal up window frames, baseboards and any other areas where you see gaps. As the caulk dries, it creates an almost impenetrable barrier against bugs; it also locks in cool and hot air.

When a lock needs replaced, try replacing the whole assembly or just the cylinder. This part actually does the locking. This is also the part that is replaced for security reasons, such as when you lose a key. Replace the whole lock set if you are looking to change the appearance of your door.

When hiring contractors to perform any work in your home, always keep accurate and detailed records. Don’t just assume the contractor will do this for you. Save all invoices and contracts for your projects. This allows the contractor to focus on finishing the task.

Do-it-yourself home improvement is not as hard as you might think. All the contractors you see in the phone book learned their trade somehow, so why isn’t it possible for you do the same? When you follow the tips here, you can get a good idea about gaining experience and skill as a do-it-yourself kind of person, with a beautiful home besides.…

Continue Reading

Home Improvement Tips And Tricks You Can Learn

by Louise B. Delia

Although the prospect of home improvement can be a daunting one, you don’t have to look far to find the inspiration you need. As with anything that you need to learn, going over the basics will help you to plan your project more easily. This article will offer several pieces of advice on how you can start any project in the right way.

Make your home more energy efficient by putting weather stripping around your windows and doors. Weatherstripping is very cheap and easy to do, it will stop cold air from coming in your home and you will save money on energy. You will notice, too, that you can cut down on the drafts that you feel on those chilly nights.

Use clear plastic boxes to arrange the contents of your garage. Label these boxes and ensure they’re stackable. This is a cheap way to clean your garage and keep pests away from your items.

Dirty doors shouldn’t be thrown out. Remove them, and sand them down to the bare wood. Next, purchase whichever oil-based paint you like and use a paint roller to paint the door. If you want a different look, try changing the knobs out for something a bit fancier.

Whenever you need to go the home improvement store, it is best that you have a checklist of all the things you have to use. If you make a list of things you need, you will not have to go back.

There isn’t a lot of natural light in most basements, if any at all. Plan the artificial lighting in the basement of your home well if you want it to be usable. If your basement is planned well, it might have taller walls. If this is the case, you will be able to add some windows for ambient lighting.

Use a straight wall mounted coat rack to display your necklaces and bracelets. Only keep costume jewelry on display, and do not put anything that has a significant value to you. If you display your jewelry nicely, it keeps things organized and looks pretty too. Keep a few pieces in an easy to access location.

As you remodel your bathroom, pay special attention to lighting. A lot of people will focus on the fixtures when they are remodeling their bathroom, and they often do not realize how essential the lighting is. Be sure to light your medicine chest/mirror well. Put good lighting on the ceiling in a fixture that is easy to disassemble for bulb replacement.

Does your floor appear old and worn out? If so, then you could pull the floor up and insert sticky wood flooring. Some think it is cheap, but it looks very nice. Most people find that it is so easy to install that they can do it themselves.

Home improvement can now be simple for you. Educating yourself about the project you are doing will give you a great start. Keep the information in this article in mind to make your home look newer and exciting.…

Continue Reading