Better Your Life By Bettering Your Home

Many people think that home improvement is a complex process best left to professionals, but there are many jobs you can do yourself if you know the process. Take a look at these ideas, and use them as a starting point to improve your home.

There are two main ways that you can make your ceiling look like it is higher than it actually is. Paint stripes in the room or add a floor lamp that is tall. This will give something for the eye to marvel at. Your eyes focus on the lines and make the ceilings look like they are higher.

It’s vital to have a good drill when you are doing home improvements. You can make holes and even attach screws. Choose a battery powered, cordless drill with a variety of attachments and drill bits capable of handling both Phillips and flat-head screws.

Floor Joists

Store your building material in between your ceiling rafters or floor joists. Molding and pieces of wood can be conveniently hidden out of eyesight. Nail some furring strips to two exposed rafters or floor joists, and place the material in there.

It’s very easy to dress pillows for a teenager’s room. Use old cloths like shirts or pants and cut them into neat designs to decorate your new favorite pillows. This can really liven up a room, giving it some much needed personality.

Now, there are more things to think about when you are doing home projects. Avoid buying drywall (i.e. wall board, sheet rock) manufactured in China. China exports a great abundance of drywall to the US and has been since 2005. A lot of the drywall is not up to par. Sometimes, it’s even dangerous and exudes dangerous gases that cause damage to internal wiring.

One thing you must do when tackling home improvement projects is allocating a specific budget. Dedicating some money to maintaining your home each year will help it stay in better shape in the long run. If you find you have money left over from what you planned to spend on your home, use that money for bigger, more ambitious projects the next year.

When you consider new cabinets in your house, think about using wood. They are quite durable and will last a long time. Cherry, oak and maple are common woods that are used for cabinets. All of these can be stained, so if you feel like changing the color, it is easy to do so.

If you are repainting, use no-VOC paints. They are safe for the environment and are not made with the sorts of dangerous chemicals found in conventional paint products. They work just like other paints and are priced only slightly higher.

Motion Sensor Lights

Consider installing motion sensor lights to improve your homes exterior. Motion sensor lights are activate by movement. Intruders will be startled by the sudden lights and will think twice about bothering your home.

Refinishing the hardwood floors in your home can increase the value. It is a lot of work to refinish floors but not hard. You can find the proper equipment and maybe even classes at a hardware store near you. Doing the work yourself can save lots of money.

Crown Molding

You will be stunned to see how installing crown moldings can make such a big difference! Crown molding introduces a little visual interest to an otherwise plain wall and can significantly improve the appearance of a whole room. Crown molding is very affordable, and the installation isn’t too difficult.

Make sure you get the right measurements for blinds before purchasing or installing them. If you buy blinds without measuring the space, they may look bad or not fit at all. There are many different sizes for blinds and some are made to be installed on the interior frame of the window and some on the outside of the frame.

It is never a bad idea to spend some time preparing to make improvements to your home. For instance, if you are going to be painting the interior of a room you must gather material to cover your possessions or clear the room completely before painting. Your furniture may be ruined forever if you get paint on it. Cover your furniture with sheets or cloths to avoid any splatters or drips from the paint.

Have you been thinking about renovating a part of your home? You are probably thinking through all of the work and cost that could be involved. The best way to start a home improvement project is to make a plan and decide when to start. These pieces of advice are excellent beginning points that will provide you with all the knowledge necessary for making the best possible decisions in home improvement.