If you aren’t sure whether you know enough to do a project, educate yourself to make sure. The following tips and techniques will help you gain the knowledge necessary for your next home improvement project.
Make sure you take before and after photos of any work or improvements you do to your home. You may like to look back on all the hard work and changes when it feels like the project as a whole will never be done. Keep pictures on your computer or have them printed for a scrapbook.
If you have watercolor paintings hanging in your home, try to place them where they do not receive direct sunlight. The sun, or any bright light, will cause the colors to fade over time. Your treasured paintings may lose their vibrancy–and value. Keeping them out of the sunlight will help preserve their colors.
When remodeling your kitchen, decide whether you really need enclosed cabinetry. Cabinets are often one of the most expensive pieces of kitchen remodeling, and you can save money by choosing open shelving instead. Shelves give you instant access to your cooking utensils, serving dishes, and ingredients. It’s a great idea for casual kitchens that get a lot of use.
Keep your home smelling scented and fresh by making your own potpourri sachets. Buy some little jewelry organza bags and fill them with store bought potpourri. To boost the scent, pour some aromatherapy oils on top. Display them in different areas of your home to create a nice and scented environment.
If you are unsure how to organize the pictures on your wall, there is a simple and effective solution to your plight. Paint some contrasting thick stripes, diagonally down your wall. Then arrange your pictures in their frames within the thick stripes. This adds definition to your walls as well as organization for your frames.
If you are short on cash and trying to figure out a way to create a unique backsplash for your kitchen, you can buy some nice patterned wallpaper. Meanwhile this may not be a permanent solution; you can switch out your designs often or keep it until you are able to afford tiling. You can even go as far as purchasing different patterned wallpapers and cutting them into small shapes to design your own wall mosaic as a backsplash.
A great home improvement tip is to invest in motion detectors for your outdoor lighting. Motion detectors will turn lights on only when movement is detected, and will swiftly shut off when there is none. Having motion detectors on your outdoor lights will save you a lot of energy and money.
Keep small jars for organization. You can use screws or super glue to attach these jars underneath a shelf. Put smaller items in the jars, including parts, nails and screws. Twist the jars into the lids back under the shelf. This saves you a ton of counter space.
If you live with an older parent in your house, you have to think about mobility, accessibility and safety when you are thinking about renovations and home improvements. Adding some railing to the home is an example of how you can improve safety in a home. Grab bars can also make a home safer and more comfortable.
To add visual distinction and aesthetic interest to brickwork installed in your home improvement projects, make use of more exotic bonds. “Bond” is the technical term for the pattern that bricks are laid in. With a little research, you will find there are many options available besides the traditional stretcher bond. Many bonds add beautiful decoration to brickwork with little additional cost.
Go forth and implement the ideas that you’ve just read. These tips will make your home comes out of its next home improvement project looking its best.