Tag / costume jewelry

by Ted

Simple Steps For Your Home Improvement Projects

How a person takes care of their home shows the type of person he is. Many people enjoy home improvement because it is exacting and requires great attention to detail. Don’t let that intimidate you. Learning a little about how to do the work helps, and you can start by reading this article.

Fans are a must in the hot summer months. A ceiling fan does an excellent job of circulating air, thereby making any room much cooler. Use both ceiling fans and stationary fans in lieu of your air conditioner to keep both the air and your utility bill cool.

Keep your AC unit running great by cleaning your filter. If the filter is clogged, it will make it hard for the unit to cool your home. The unit will run much longer than needed. Change the filter often to save time and money.

TIP! The filter that is part of your air conditioner should be cleaned or replaced on a regular basis. If the filter gets clogged up, the air conditioning unit will have to work harder to cool your house, using up more energy.

If your trailer, house, or apartment is too small to house a dryer and washer separately, think about installing a combination unit instead. There are lots of combination units on the market that take no more floor area than dishwashers. It is possible to wash and dry clothes in a combo unit.

Pop the bubbles in an old vinyl covering on your floor if you can. Simply cut a small slit in the bubble to release the air pocket. This can flatten that bubble at least on a temporary basis. To keep the floor from coming back up, you will need to add some glue under the slice to secure the vinyl to the floor. Syringe glue is a great choice for this task.

There are a couple of simple tricks you can use to give your ceiling the appearance of being higher than it actually is. Think about painting stripes on the wall or adding tall lamps. Additions like these mean optical illusions that people’s eyes can trace upward. The lines will actually make the ceiling seem taller than it really is.

TIP! You can easily make your ceiling look higher. Consider painting vertical stripes on the walls, or adding a floor lamp.

If you want a simple home improvement, go buy some paint. It makes for an amazing visual change. It ensures buyers will be interested in moving in.

One great home improvement project is insulating. Install weather stripping materials around doors as well as windows. If you are able to minimize the amount of air getting into your home, your heating and cooling systems will run better. This will save lots of money on energy costs in the long run.

Think about your surroundings and perform improvements that are sensible. For instance, having an uncovered deck in Arizona or a sun room that has no ventilation in Michigan would be nonsensical renovations that will have potential buyers questioning your house upkeep decisions. Cater to what is desired, and do not try to go beyond the means of what the climate calls for.

TIP! When you are going to be doing home improvements, make sure you do things that will be viable. For instance, if you live in Arizona and build a deck with no cover, it is not a sensible choice.

Costume Jewelry

Add some bling to a boring corner by hanging big costume jewelry pieces on a coat rack. Never hang your more valuable jewelry, of course, but hanging costume jewelry is a great way to organize it while adding interest to a room. Hanging up jewelry like this not only improves a room’s appearance, it keeps your necklaces free of tangles, too. Choose several items that you wear a lot and display those.

Sometimes the only solution to a squeaky door is to replace the actual door hinge. You can find hinges at different hardware stores. Take the old hinge off, and follow the directions to put your new one on. Align the parts of the hinge and put the pins in place to complete your project.

TIP! It may be time to get a new hinge for your door if you can’t find any other way to silence the squeak. Fortunately, these are easily located at most home improvement stores.

When improving your home, try finding “age-in-place” measurements that can be used for your home. This method factors in the age of the homeowner to determine which improvements will provide the most for your home improvement dollar. Whether your renovations are in a house you plan to stay in forever, or a home that will eventually be sold, age-in-place improvements increase the comfort of your home as well as it’s value.

Make repairs to your home the moment you take notice of damage. Most damage that often happens to your home you may just forget about. Do not think that way! Because the various working systems in your home are interconnected, it is easy for problems to spread quickly. Small problems can quickly blow up into a big one.

If you’re planning to use conventional wood in heating you house, understand that this might not be a good thing to do. Wood stoves are not an efficient heating source due to the fact that a good amount of heat will end up drifting up the chimney instead of going into your home. Even worse, maintaining a fire consumes a great deal of oxygen from the air in your house.

TIP! If you are thinking about adding a wood fireplace to your home, you may want to reconsider. It may be visually appealing but it does not offer true heating efficiency.

There are few home renovations that can take you as far as a finished basement. Updating a basement can give a home much needed living space. Purchase the materials you need from a discount store. Finishing your home’s basement can increase your home’s resale value by over 30%.

A shower is a must for any home, so add one if there is not one in existence in one of your bathrooms. This will lead to water reduction, and a time-saving convenience when wanting to get all household members clean. A five minute shower will use a quarter of the water that a bath will.

There isn’t a lot of natural light in most basements, if any at all. Be sure to install enough lighting that your basement is usable. If you are lucky, your basement walls may extend above ground level. You can pierce these walls and install some windows to improve the lighting of your basement.

TIP! Most basements have very little, if any, natural lighting. To increase your enjoyment of any basement finishing project, carefully consider the layout of the lighting you use.

Motion Detector

Motion detector security lights installed outside can add beauty, functionality and security at a surprisingly low cost. Motion detector lights turn on automatically when an intruder approaches, providing you with the element of surprise and saving you money on electricity! Intruders are discouraged from approaching your house due to the lights activating as they approach.

When you are doing home improvements, you will be wise to spend the money on high quality materials instead of being sorry down the line. This is because the furniture will go with the homeowner, if the home is sold. Fixtures stay with the home and can increase its value.

TIP! To get the most bang for your buck, purchase high-quality materials. You want to invest your money in projects that will improve the value of your home, not merely its appearance.

If your window blinds look torn or battered, replacing these can add to the appearance of your home. The blinds will often get faded from the sun and or become damaged by pets, children or accidents. Installing new blinds is cheap, fast, and simple, and you’ll be surprised with just how significantly it can improve a room’s appearance.

Although home improvement can be a difficult and time-consuming process, this doesn’t mean that you cannot do it yourself. Anyone can engage in these projects. No matter what your level of skill, the tips below can be a big help.

If you’re living in an area that’s fire-prone and you’re considering fencing, opt for white or red cedar. Cedar is good because of its safety with regards to wildfires.

TIP! If you live in dry or fire-prone area and are concerned about choosing the best fencing material for your home, consider red or white cedar fences. Cedar is good because of its safety with regards to wildfires.

by Ted

Don’t Hire Help, Do It Yourself With These Easy Home Improvement Tips

Home ownership numbers are very high in America, so it’s no surprise home improvement is a hot topic of discussion. Do not be disheartened if past home improvement projects have turned out less than satisfactory. By reading this article, you can pick up some handy advice that might make your next project a breeze.

If you are not bound financially, install the real hard wood flooring, rather than the laminate. Even though laminates may look like real wood and are easier to manage, they can’t be refinished. Choosing the cheaper option will mean that it will have to be replaced sooner, whereas quality materials can last for decades.

It’s time to pop those flooring bubbles! Just cut it with a knife and let the air out. This will temporarily flatten the bubble. In order to permanently repair this part of the floor though, you are going to need to put an amount of fresh glue in. Purchase the type of glue that fills a syringe to complete your project.

TIP! Put a shot into that vinyl flooring bubble. If you have a bubble in that old vinyl floor, simply slice it open and the air will release.

Work on the most obvious areas when doing home improvements. Your potential buyers have no choice but to judge your house by what they see, and having things such as peeling paint and overgrown hedges may cause you to lose the sale. You have to impress them.

If you want to redo your floor in an inexpensive way, think about vinyl. Vinyl is a strong substance that can stand up to water and can be easily installed thanks to adhesive backing. As an added convenience, vinyl tiling is available in sheets or sets, depending on the size of the area you need to cover.

Use aluminum foil to cover electrical outlets prior to painting. Tin foil is more easily applied than tape and can protect outlet covers from accidental paint splatters. That makes cleanup much easier. Remember to remove and recycle the foil only after the paint has dried.

TIP! Use aluminum foil to cover your wall outlets before painting. It’s easier to use aluminum foil, and it protects the outlets.

Having the right tools is essential when you are doing renovations. If you lack the appropriate tools and materials, it will be much more difficult to complete the project correctly and in a timely manner. Knowing how to properly use the tools is important too.

Before starting a home improvement project, try to ask help from family members or friends. If you don’t do it early, you might find yourself going it alone. You might also have problems completing the project on time, which can add more stress and work to your life.

Choosing to add insulation to your attic can be a smart move, especially in winter, as it saves on heating costs. Heat rises and, over time, a lot of it is lost during the colder seasons in houses that have poor insulation in the attic. Most hardware stores carry insulation, and its installation is very simple.

TIP! Choosing to add insulation to your attic can be a smart move, especially in winter, as it saves 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.

Insulating your attic properly is a home improvement project that can cut down on your wintertime heating costs. When a home does not have proper insulation, it will lose heat, since it rises. You can buy quality insulation at any home improvement center, and it’s quite simple to install.

Your bathroom is another important part of your home. Buyers can easily customize the majority of rooms, but make sure your bathroom is attractive and in good working order. Every fixture needs to be in like-new condition. If you currently have linoleum flooring, replace it with tile.

It can cost a lot of money to replace a roof. You should get estimates and references from three or more roofing companies. Tile, metal and wood shake are some options for roofing materials you can decide on. A good contractor can help give you options.

TIP! It can cost a lot of money to replace a roof. Try getting estimates from several companies and check all of their references.

Homes that have a nice view tend to sell for a lot more than similar houses without a view. Always remember that the premium price brought by the view might not be thought of as a smart investment. Other buyers might not like the view as much as you, and don’t want to pay more for it.

Keep any small jars (like baby food jars) for use in organizing your space. Affix the jar lids to the bottom side of a shelf on your wall. Put small items like jewelry, screws, nails, or jewelry parts into the jars. Replace the jar by twisting it back under the shelf. This maximizes the usage of your shelf and makes great use of little jars that are not used for anything else.

Before you work on your outlets, be certain the power is turned off where you’re working. Failing to do so can lead to serious injury or even death.

TIP! Before doing any work on electrical outlets, lighting, or any other item that is connected to your home’s electricity, be sure that the power circuit is turned off to the area you will be working on. Failing to do so can lead to serious injury or even death.

Costume Jewelry

Add some bling to a boring corner by hanging big costume jewelry pieces on a coat rack. Use it just for costume jewelry, not expensive pieces. Using creative displays to hang your jewelry can become a nice, decorative element and also protect your jewelry from tangles or breakage. Select a few pieces that you wear often and keep those within reach.

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. Utilize fabrics such as cotton or linen and not dark patterns and heavy brocades. Add some potpourri or scented candles in order to build an inviting, peaceful atmosphere.

TIP! Do you want to make your rooms more tranquil? Choose light colors like light green or light purple. Stick to airy fabrics, like linen and cotton, instead of heavy brocades and dark patterns.

A garage door that is re-painted will add curb appeal to any home. This can be a quick way to update the look of your house. Adding a new coat of paint make it sparkle and increases its value. Use a more fitting color for your garage door rather than a standard color.

If you have purchased a home located next to wooded or undeveloped land, consider installing a chain link or tall wood fence around your yard. This will prevent animals like rabbits, skunks and coyotes out, especially if planting a garden is part of your plan.

Purchase the best supplies for your home improvement project. Purchasing high quality tools can be costly, but it is a very worthwhile investment. Cheap tools and materials can break or wear down quickly. Paying more in the beginning means you do not need to replace your tools quite so often.

TIP! When undertaking a home improvement project on your own, make a point of buying high quality materials and tools. It does involve a more expensive up-front cost, but you won’t spend as much money over time.

If you plan to paint your home consider doing that before anything else. This will save you the trouble of worrying about where the paint ends up. Regardless of whether or not you use protective coverings, it is almost impossible not to get at least a little paint on the floor.

Do you have spots on your lawn where grass won’t grow? If the answer is yes, add some grass seed to your lawn. A lawn that looks even can truly improve your yard. Get the work done to have a better lawn.

If you buy a drain snake, it can save some money. This will save you some cash on drain cleaners and plumbers in the future. A drain snake should not be used by someone who is inexperienced, so ask a plumber to show you the right way to use it. Ensure that you purchase a snake that properly fits your drain.

TIP! Invest in a snake for your drains. Doing this means you won’t need to purchase drain cleaners all the time.

Window Treatments

Replacing your old window treatments is a great way to improve the look of your windows. Over time, window treatments may become dull, cracked or bent after years of abuse from children, pets or other accidents. By adding new blinds, you will be making a huge improvement.

Put a peephole in outside doors! It is helpful to be able to see who is on the other side of the door before you open it up. Although some people will hire a professional to do this, adding a peep hole is actually one of the easiest improvements out there. The only tool you’ll need is a drill, and the project takes very little time to complete. Having a peephole will take away the anxious feeling whenever there is a knock on your door, because you will have the luxury of seeing who is on the other side.

TIP! Install a peephole on your doors. Safety first! Never open the door unless you know who is there.

Perhaps one of the most critical things to keep in mind during your project is that you are perfectly capable of completing the task at hand. You must be patient, thorough and dedicated. If it has been accomplished by someone else, you can probably manage to do it as well. Follow the tips this article has provided, to ensure your home improvement projects are successful.

by Ted

Update Your House And Live Easier With These Home Improvement Tips

If you enjoy doing things on your own, you may want to explore the world of home improvement. These tips should help you get started on your first do-it-yourself project.

When designing a renovation for your home, consider the value to you of a personal touch versus the return on investment you will receive upon selling the home. More individualized renovations do not have as much impact on home value to potential buyers.

Cover your floors while painting. This can help reduce stains, which can serve as a very costly expense. A cheap way that this can be done is to employ the use of newspapers. Other options include plastic sheeting and paint cloths.

TIP! Don’t buy furnishings with busy patterns. These patterns will have to match other aspects of the room.

There are many boring lampshades with no zest. Brighten up a lamp shade by using stencils and acrylic paint. You can give life to your home, as it can take away the boring environment you previously had.

Do not buy furniture that is upholstered with strong patterns. Florals, bright colors and geometric shapes can force your decorating hand. Purchase furniture in solid colors and dress them up with your accessories. You can use different colored pillows and throws to create a unique effect.

Doing a home project requires the right [easyazon_link identifier=”B000UHMITE” locale=”US” tag=”tddose-20″]tool[/easyazon_link] for the job. The right tool makes the doing much faster, easier and ensures that the job is done right. Knowing how to use those tools is just as important as having the right tools.

TIP! Decks that are rotting, paint that is chipping, and water damaged ceilings are items that you should look for if you’re buying a home. However, issues such as structural problems, bad wiring, and lousy ventilation can only be discovered by a professional home inspector.

Talk to your friends and family and ask them for help before starting your home improvement project. You may not be able to locate anyone to give you a hand if you have begun. Completing the project can also be a hassle and create more stress.

Improvement Projects

Prior to purchasing hardwood flooring, ask a professional about the status of your existing floors. You might just have some very nice hardwood flooring way underneath whatever has been layered onto your floors, such as carpeting or linoleum. You will wind up with a nicer looking, higher-quality floor for less money.

TIP! Replacing your front door for one that is nice looking and well made can boost the value of your home substantially. You could update your front door and give it a completely new look by simply purchasing a new lock or doorknob.

Remember to take safety precautions when you are working on home improvement projects. Home improvement projects can be hazardous if you don’t take the proper precautions. You can find websites that can help.

Add some bling to a boring corner by hanging big costume jewelry pieces on a [easyazon_image align=”none” height=”75″ identifier=”B00829YTA8″ locale=”US” src=”http://www.slidingbarndoorhardware.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/51lzMtXmBlL.SL75.jpg” tag=”tddose-20″ width=”60″]. Never hang your more valuable jewelry, of course, but hanging costume jewelry is a great way to organize it while adding interest to a room. A beautiful jewelry display can keep your pieces tangle free, and can also be a stylish statement in any room. Choose some of your favorite pieces and keep those out and in reach.

One home improvement project with an outstanding return on investment is finishing a basement. Your finished basement makes an ideal area for work, recreation or family time. Purchase the materials you need from a discount store. Some sources say that a finished basement can increase the resale value of a home by 30 percent or more.

TIP! Don’t be fooled by the style and affordability of individual solar lights for your driveway or walkway. For powerful lighting that makes walkways bright and highlights the best features of your landscaping, you need traditionally-powered lighting.

When planning home improvement projects, don’t forget about your front porch. Your porch will be the very first thing many visitors will lay their eyes on when coming to your home. Clear out any clutter and add personal touches such as flowers, plants, patio furniture. You may also want to add new [easyazon_link keywords=”light fixtures” locale=”US” tag=”tddose-20″]light fixtures[/easyazon_link] and a nice wood varnish. Fix any obvious issues such as broken boards or unstable steps. Your home will be worth more if you make these changes.

The first step in beginning work in your bathroom or kitchen is shutting off any water supply to the fixtures or plumbing. That seems like it might be obvious, but many people forget that step and end up having a big flood that requires even more renovation.

You should make sure your plumbing is insulated, so that you are prepared for the winter or to keep the water warm. Weatherizing tape is an easy, affordable and effective option for insulating your plumbing. This tape can prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.

TIP! Do you hate your old bedroom furniture? You can easily revamp any piece of furniture with a little sanding and refinishing. Refinishing your furniture means you have to buy new furniture less often.

A chandelier is a great touch, even in a modest home. You can find a stunning focal piece for your dining area for less than five hundred dollars. Of course, in the meantime, the chandelier is going to provide some beautiful lighting and it will create a brilliant ambiance for the home.

Be certain to seal the grout once the tile has been laid. Unfortunately, grout has lots and lots of open pores. This can lead to mildew, ruining the quality of the tile. Stains can easily set into grout that is unsealed. Thus, taking the time to seal the grouts means you’ll save time and money in the long term.

Does your floor need some work? Pull your floor up and add a new sticky wood floor if you are feeling ambitious. Some might see this as an ugly option, but that is not the case. It’s also very easy to install, so the vast majority of people are able to make it a DIY project.

TIP! Replace your bed by building a new one. There may be some difficulty involved, but through work and patience, it can be done.

It can be very expensive to replace your flooring, no matter what material you use. One affordable and easy option is to pull up existing flooring, then apply a [easyazon_link keywords=”concrete stain” locale=”US” tag=”tddose-20″]colored stain[/easyazon_link] to the bare concrete. The stain makes the concrete have a new industrial look that can match any decor.

If you think the front of your home lacks style or character, think about buying a pergola and installing it. Pergolas have become quite popular in recent years and can add shade and ambiance to the front of a home. If you enlist a few friends, you can purchase a pergola kit and have it done in just a few days.

Do not ignore rust or mold problems, even if they are small. In older homes, they are common problems which easily spread. Repairing the problem when it is small is easy. A delay can turn these problems into major headaches. A bit of bleach can take care of minor mold issues, Sanding works on minor rust problems.

TIP! When engaging in a renovation, always have a plan in place. You should know exactly what you want to do and enumerate any time or budget constraints before construction begins.

Refinish your hardwood floors to increase the value of your home. It is a lot of work to refinish floors but not hard. You can often take a quick class on the subject at local hardware stores, where you can also rent necessary equipment. Doing the work yourself can save lots of money.

Weigh the pros and cons of having a security alarm set on your home when having showings. If the home is located in a sketchy neighborhood and the property is vacant, then it should be turned on.

Be sure you follow proper safety. While it may seem silly to wear a hardhat in your own home, if a chunk of drywall were to fall, you would at least be protected. Goggles, hardhats, as well as breathing apparatuses, can prevent injury while you make home improvements.

TIP! Inspect your deck to see if it needs repairing. Look for uneven boards on the surface or cracks in the wood, look for dry rot on the deck, and last but not least, look for uneven nails and screws.

Take care to confirm that your contractor has listened to your instructions. It is important to find a contractor who listens to you and who you can trust. If your contractor isn’t paying close attention to the things you’re saying, then you may not be happy with the results of their work. Be sure your contractor fully understands what you are asking for.

Using the tips shared here, you can make smarter and more effective decisions when it comes to your home. You’ll soon breeze through projects that once intimidated you and leave you living in the home of your dreams.

Check on your deck’s condition prior to the summer months. Repair any holes or rotting wood that you notice. Fix problems with your deck as you also save money in the long run.

TIP! An easy way to improve the functionality of your kitchen is to clean and organize your pantry. Toss expired foods and spices.