Consider the costs of major renovations before you start saving money towards them. Demolition for a 1,500 square foot house will cost you around $6000 to start. Replacing a wall can cost about $10 per square foot, and that doesn?t even include the costs of having plans drafted. Knowing this beforehand can help you determine if this is a project you really want to take on.
The outside of your home also makes an excellent spot for a home improvement project. Staining your driveway adds a beautiful touch to the front of your residence. Also, look to see if you need to fill any cracks or re-tar the driveway. Sometimes, the front of your home can be forgotten as you make improvements, but these projects can really add a lot to the aesthetic value of your property.
Whenever you are moving or doing a home improvement project, do not forget to take the time to protect your floors. Shuffling equipment and fixtures around during a remodel can create a lot of debris and make a big mess on the carpet. Moving appliances and furniture across a room can really scratch up a beautiful hardwood floor. Be sure to cover the floors before you begin.
Make use of your local re-use center for great deals on home improvement supplies. From remnants of new materials to used appliances, furniture, fixtures and more, these centers resell products donated to them by builders or renovators. They often donate a portion of their proceeds to charity, too, so you can fix up your home, recycle, and help a good cause all at the same time.
If your home lacks windows and natural lighting, consider replacing one of your solid exterior doors with a French door. A French door combines solid wood craftsmanship with a broad expanse of plate glass, to let in a great deal of natural sunlight. This will instantly brighten the look and feel of any room, making it seem airier and more spacious.
To prevent animals like birds or squirrels from nesting in your chimney, install a chimney cap. These devices feature mesh sides that allow smoke to escape, but the solid top prevents animals from entering your chimney to build nests, which can ignite and cause a chimney fire when you use the fireplace.
If you heat with a wood stove, smoke will cause your walls to become dingy and you will need to repaint more often than if you heat with a furnace. When you do repaint, it is worthwhile to wipe the walls and ceiling down with a damp sponge to remove as much soot as possible before putting on a new coat of paint.
Make each room in your home look expensive by adding one high-end piece of furniture. Each room needs a focal point; otherwise, everything just blurs together and the room has no sparkle. Choose one special piece of furniture; a great armoire, a trompe l?oleil chest, an oversize mirror with an ornate frame or something else special and unique to dress up each room. Your friends will think you?ve hired a designer.
If you are using a tank style hot water heater and do not have the money to replace it take a trip to your hardware store. You can buy an energy saving blanket to wrap around your tank to keep heat in and save you money on your energy or gas bill.
Improve your home by removing items you don?t need. You will have more space and your home will appear to be bigger. De-clutter by throwing away, storing or donating unneeded items such as clothes, furniture, etc. Even packing your stuff away in boxes and putting them in the attic will remove things from your immediate living area.
Talk to neighbors and look for signs of new construction before moving into a new neighborhood. You don?t want to end up living across from the newest McMansion. Find out the chances of the neighborhood changing and what the trends are before buying. The gorgeous hill view from the kitchen might become a new subdivision before you know it.
Only clean your furniture with furniture cleaner. Meanwhile it is tempting to just use a rag cloth and run over your furniture with water, it in fact ends up damaging your surfaces. Use specialty cleaners such as Pledge and spray liberally over your surfaces. It not only protects your finishes, but also repels dust.
Surely, you found the information that preceded to be helpful for many different projects around your house. A bit of knowledge about home improvement can go a long way in helping you transform your house into your home. Take on the challenge of making the improvements on your home with the help of the included information.
Carlton Jahns looks into concrete staining
Source: http://blingmeimei.com/2012/08/04/home-improvement-in-todays-world-nothing-but-the-best-tips/
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