Tag / wall shelf

by Ted

Check Out These Great Home Improvement Tips!

You may not know about feng shui, so you could be quite surprised by the notion that furniture rearrangement can energize a room. A lot of people think that if you clear the doorway you will gain money. Keep reading to figure out some different techniques for changing your home around.

When trying to choose a project, consider whether you plan on selling or staying and then decide on how customized your project should be. You could make your home less attractive to a buyer if you make it stand out from others in the neighborhood.

Before you start on any serious improvement to your home, think about what style fits you. Your preferred decorating style will impact the choices available. It’s very easy to change decorative styles in the middle of your project without ever recognizing it. At this point, it may be expensive to make any needed adjustments.

TIP! Know what look you’re going for before you start any project. Figuring out your decorative style has a major impact on what decisions you make.

Before starting a job, decide what you will do beforehand. Projects without plans tend to take longer than expected and go overbudget. Making adjustments here and there with no strategy can cause the completion date to drag and exceed the budget. Clearly defined ideas also makes it easier to work with your contractor to create a shared vision.

If your old vinyl flooring has a bubble, give it a shot! It is a simple way to release all of the air. Cutting it will make the bubble go down. You’ll need to inject some fresh glue, however, to hold the repaired section to the floor. Use a syringe to inject the glue to the old vinyl floor tiles.

Use old shoe boxes to add some storage to your home. Use scraps of attractive fabric or wallpaper to cover the shoe boxes. It’s a very easy way to add extra storage as well as beauty to your room.

TIP! Add some storage areas to your home by using old shoe boxes for loose items. Use old wallpaper on the shoe boxes to give them a modern design.

Sometimes the only solution to a squeaky door is to replace the actual door hinge. They can be found at any hardware store. Simply disassemble the hinge and attach each side of it to the door and wall frame. Line up all the parts and put in new pins.

If you want to keep the toilet bowl clean, just add bleach from time to time. Although you may dislike the smell of the bleach, you can rest assured the toxic chemical is killing germs and leaving you with a shiny clean toilet. You can use scented bleach for a nicer smell.

Many lampshades are plain and boring. Go to your local arts and crafts store, and pick up some stencils and acrylic paint. With the acrylic paint, create some interesting designs on your lamp shade. You could literally create any design you can think of and give more personality to your home.

TIP! Lampshades of simple structure and design are quite a bore. Use some basic stencils and paint to give your boring lamp shade something extra.

Almost anyone of any experience level can fix leaky faucets. This decreases wasted water in your home on a daily basis and save you a lot of money over the longer term. This will keep your water bill much lower each month.

Seal cracks in your home with caulk. This helps keep bugs out and lowers utility costs. Just caulk your baseboards, inside windows and around them, as well as any other place. This will not only keep the bugs out but will also take care of any drafts you have in your home.

If you want to make a big difference in your home without a lot of effort, go and buy a few gallons of paint. A house that is newly painted looks brand new, and does not require a lot of cash or time. A fresh coat of paint is also attractive to new buyers if you think you may sell your home any time soon.

TIP! If you want a simple project that will really make a difference, think about painting your home. Fresh coats of new color can add fresh energy to a home for little expense of money or time.

Whenever you hire a handyman, make sure you are on the same page by creating and agreeing to a contract. By having a firm contract, you won’t have to worry about any extra charges or being exploited. You’re in a dangerous position if you don’t have a contract.

If a contractor will be performing your project, keep records. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that the contractor has you covered in this regard. Hang onto all of your project’s paperwork, from the initial contract to the final invoices. Saving them will allow everyone to concentrate on the work that needs to be done.

If hanging pictures or paintings have caused holes in the wall, then utilize spackle and paint in order to eliminate them and freshen the look of your walls. The first step is using spackle from your home improvement store. As long as the holes are not too big, a tiny bit of spackle will do. You can use a bobby pin as a spackle application tool for very small holes. After the spackle has dried, use a rigid item (such as a credit card) to smooth out the excess spackle over the hole. Apply paint. This quick fix will make any small hole disappear in a single day.

TIP! A touch of spackle and a little paint will freshen up walls that look the worse for wear due to lots of nail and hanger holes. You can buy spackle at any home improvement store.

The bathroom is a very important part of a home that’s being sold. It is easy for buyers to make living rooms and bedrooms their own, but it is important to have bathrooms in good shape. Ensure that your shower and sink are in solid condition. If they are not, then you should replace them immediately. Replace linoleum flooring with tile.

Wall Shelf

It’s pretty simple to connect two PVC pipes together when you use primer and cement designed specifically for PVC. You need to make sure you use products designed for PVC so they’ll hold and not leak. Furthermore, the pipe surfaces must be completely dry.

TIP! Two PVC pipes can be easily attached using primer and cement made for PVC. Without these items, the pipes won’t stay together and liquids may leak from them.

Keep any small jars (like baby food jars) for use in organizing your space. The tops of these jars can be used under a wall shelf. Put little things like screws, nails and pieces for jewelry crafts into these jars. The jars can be twisted into place in the lids secured under the shelf. This helps take full advantage of a wall shelf and small jars you didn’t think you would ever need.

It can cost a lot to replace the whole floor with tile, carpet or wood. One alternative to save some money would be staining the bare concrete. This makes the room look industrial, and it suits a wide variety of decor themes that can be changed at any time.

Before you tackle a project around the house, solicit help from your family and friends. If you delay asking for help until the project has already begun, it might be hard to get someone to help. You might not be able to get the project done when you wanted to as well.

TIP! Ask your family members and friends for help before you start your next project to improve your home. By waiting until the project is started, you may have difficulty finding the extra help you need.

If you find some leaks in your home, you should consider replacing your roof. If you do not fix it, you are flirting with disaster. Engage a reliable roofing specialist to evaluate the problem and give you an estimate. Be sure the professional is knowledgeable and has experience.

You could make a dramatic statement in your landscaping by using flowers that are mature instead of young seedlings. These flowers are vibrant and colorful and make the landscape seem fuller. Seedlings might not mature quickly to give you the enhancement that you need. Your goal should be to make the potential home purchaser feel like they don’t need to do any additional work to make their landscaping look amazing.

Ask for references before hiring anyone to make home improvements. Consider it as if you’re hiring employees for a business. Do your homework and check all of their references.

TIP! Be certain to both ask for and check out references for anyone you are considering contracting home improvement work too. Pretend like you’re hiring someone at your own business.

Feng Shui

As mentioned, feng shui is thought by many to be a powerful way to organize your furniture to increase your home’s good fortune. Feng shui can be considered home improvement too; you can change the way your home looks by just moving things around.

Always make sure the power is turned off when working near an electrical area. Failing to do so can lead to serious injury or even death.

TIP! Make sure you turn off the right power circuit whenever you work on anything electrical. Leaving the power on will leave everyone vulnerable to live wires and possible electrocution.

by Ted

Need Solid Home Improvement Advice? Follow These Guidelines

Every homeowner should give serious thought to investing in home improvements. A good home improvement project could increase the value of your home and make it more pleasant for you. Getting into home improvement can be a fun and profitable process. This article explores several ways that you can quickly and easily improve your own home.

Without much decoration and personality, simple lamp shades are sometimes very boring. Brighten up a lamp shade by using stencils and acrylic paint. Using this simple tip can make your whole room appear livelier.

If you’re buying a new home, look for damage due to rot, chipped paint and more. Things like roof defects, bad ventilation, or other hidden problems can be located by professional inspectors. Before you purchase a new home, put in the money to have someone take a good look at it. It’ll save you a great deal of cash down the road.

TIP! When you hire someone to do home improvement work for you, get a contract. A written contract keeps both sides honest and protects you, the homeowner, from exploitation.

When improving your home, give the most visible areas the most attention. If you plan to sell the home, the buyers won’t care that you added fancy lights if the paint is peeling. While some home improvements are not visible to the eye, it is imperative you focus on projects that are clearly obvious and visual.

Don’t forget to cover your floors when you paint. Paint can be difficult to remove from your carpet or floor, so take preventative measures. One inexpensive and effective way to protect flooring is using layers of old newspapers. Plastic sheets and paint cloths may be used as well.

If you want to change a lock, you should replace the whole thing, or if not just change the cylinder. The cylinder is the part of the lock that performs the locking action. If you’ve lost your key and want to change the lock for safety purposes, you can do a cylinder replacement. 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.

TIP! When you hire a contractor for your project, it’s necessary to keep a file of all your records. You cannot leave this responsibility up to the contractor.

It is quite simple to build your own replacement window screen. It’s easy to cut frame kits to fit a particular window size. After cutting, the next step is to simply attach the screen using a very inexpensive tool. Your window may need a special screen type, but you can still make an external screen using adapters.

Wall Shelf

Replacing the roof on a home is one of the largest expenses a homeowner will face. Get at least three estimates from roofing companies, and carefully check all their references. Lots of choices in roofing materials exist today, such as metal roofing, lightweight tiles, composite shingles and conventional wood shakes. Ask your contractor which one he thinks is best.

TIP! Most building supplies are expensive and prone to theft. When there is no work going on, building supplies need to be put somewhere secure.

Don’t throw out your small baby food jars; instead, use them to organize your workspace. The tops of these jars can be used under a wall shelf. Insert small items into the jars, such as: beads, jewelry parts, screws or nails. The jars can be twisted into place in the lids secured under the shelf. This is a good way to use your wall shelf and recycle the jars you might not use otherwise.

You should never undervalue the benefits that a top quality door can offer. This item is your first chance to make a good impression on guests. If your door doesn’t fit well or is badly insulated, you can also lose a lot of heat. If the locks and door frame aren’t made well or are old, your security and sense of safety is lowered.

The kinds of home improvement projects that involve repairing actual damage should be at the very top of your to-do list. Many forms of home damage are forgettable for most people. Avoid doing this. Keep in mind that some damage to one area or system of your home can quickly spread to other areas. Before you know it, a little issue has turned into a major mess.

TIP! If you plan on using bricks for your project, you should always purchase more bricks than you need. It is not always easy to find the same bricks that you have after your purchase date.

Older homes might have stained, outdated carpeting that show the signs of the wear and tear they have endured. Hardwood floors have their own appeal, and are far more durable than even high-quality carpeting.

Always make sure your bathroom has sufficient lighting whenever you renovate it. Individuals mostly focus on the fixtures when doing bathroom remodeling and forget about how important 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.

By repainting your walls, you can transform the look of a dreary, dated house. You can totally change a room’s appearance by giving it a new paint job. Although painting a room could be cheap, it could drastically change your house’s value. Try using lighter colors that complement your home’s decor.

TIP! After you install new tile, make sure the grout gets sealed. The grout you apply will be porous.

If you are in a rush to get home improvement work done, you should be prepared for the high costs involved. If you talk to a contractor, many of them would be happy to work more on your projects. They will eagerly complete the project for a bit more money. You’ll need to pay them more.

Add fresh flowers or a bowl of fruit to your kitchen. Kitchens look better with fresh produce. This is a rather cheap change that can instantly transform your kitchen. Adding an arrangement of freshly cut flowers will brighten even your home and boost your mood as well.

You can increase your home’s value and add additional curb appeal by adding high-gloss paint on the shutters and front door. Houses that have vinyl siding or pale brick look particularly nice with a bright blue or red paint. If your home is darker in color, rich colors like jade green or a deep purple can have a great effect.

TIP! Take whatever steps you need to in order to get your contractor’s attention and ensure they are listening when you are telling them pertinent information. You should be able to trust your contractor, as well as addressing your concerns to them.

When you have done a few home improvement projects by yourself, you can be encouraged to do more. This can never hurt. Anything is possible for the homeowner who takes on a home improvement project with confidence, hard work and knowledge.

by Ted

The Top Do-It-Yourself Home Improvement Tips

There are a lot of potential pitfalls waiting for the unprepared homeowner when he or she starts a home improvement project. If you are uncertain on how to begin once you start planning the home remodeling project, then these suggestions might be helpful to you in getting everything started and done right.

If you are considering major structural modifications to your floor plan, then employ an architect to draw up your plans. If you lack formal training in this area, the plans you create may be heavy on esthetics and light on functionality. A professional can help you develop workable plans that meet local regulations.

Replace your air conditioning filter from time to time. When a filter is clogged, the air conditioner necessarily has to work much harder, requiring more energy. You may also be using way more electricity than necessary. To prevent dirt and grime from building up on your filters, change them out every month.

TIP! Boring, simple lampshades have no personality. You can spice up your lamp shades by painting them using stencils.

If you have a squeaky floor, try using some construction glue. Even if you have to work out of the basement or crawl under the house, it will be worth the while. Apply some glue to each floor joist with the aid of a caulking gun to secure them to the floor planks.

Dollar for dollar, an additional bathroom can really boost the value of your home. This is especially useful if you have rooms on a floor that does not currently have a bathroom. When you have a large family or a houseful of guests, you can never have too many bathrooms!

Before beginning your renovation project, turn the power circuit off for your safety. This is such a simple thing, and it can be the difference between life or death.

TIP! A

Allow for a space to place the debris during your future projects. Proper disposal of construction trash can be expensive, so making arrangements before you begin is essential to finishing your project on schedule.

Wall Shelf

Individual solar lights come in an abundance of styles and are cheap, however they serve very little purpose other than decoration. For powerful lighting that makes walkways bright and highlights the best features of your landscaping, you need traditionally-powered lighting. While these are typically more expensive, they are reliable and will last for many more years than most solar models.

TIP! When you remodel a bathroom, be sure to have enough light. Lighting can help increase the look of different areas, so focus on this just as much as fixtures.

Keep any small jars (like baby food jars) for use in organizing your space. Superglue or screw the lids of the jars to the underside of a wall shelf. Put little things like screws, nails and pieces for jewelry crafts into these jars. The jars can be twisted into place in the lids secured under the shelf. This helps take full advantage of a wall shelf and small jars you didn’t think you would ever need.

Chandeliers have a place in even modest homes today. With a minimal investment, you can acquire a stunning focal point for any room in your home. If you want a chandelier that will stand out, try getting one that puts out 200-400 watts.

You should determine what any major project is going to cost prior to beginning it. If you buy in large quantities you may qualify for a discount. There may also be long lead times in materials and equipment purchases. Failing to order them ahead of time could make the whole project grind to a halt.

TIP! Before kicking off a major home improvement project it is considerate for the homeowner to meet with his or her neighbors and share the project schedule. Living next-door to construction is extremely annoying.

A pergola is an excellent way to add a little pizzazz to your outside space; so if the front yard of your home needs a little character, consider putting in a pergola. Once a garden fixture, it has become a popular choice for adding an inviting look to your home and yard. With a few friends to help, you can buy a kit and have the pergola completed over the weekend.

If the home requires significant repair prior to your occupancy, make sure the major things are finished first. Less challenging projects like bathroom updates and basement renovations can wait until a while after you have settled in.

If your home improvement project involves you needing some of the street, be sure to give your neighbors warning. Significant renovations can mean blocking access to your street as deliveries are made and equipment is moved. Letting your neighbors know about these details beforehand is the courteous thing to do.

TIP! If you have a huge home improvement job lined up, be sure to tell your contractor about any budget constraints you may have. If your contractor knows your budget up front, he can use the best materials that fall within your price range.

Every six months, you need to drain the water from your water heater. When you take the time to do this, you will find that it it will run much more efficiently, and you will help to improve the life of the heater, too. This process couldn’t be simpler. Your water heater has a drain valve that operates just like a garden spigot; all you need to do is locate it and attach a hose.

Take care of even minor mold and rust problems as they arise. These problems often arise in older homes, and they can quickly take over a large area if left untreated. Repairing the problem when it is small is easy. Delaying until the problems get bigger can cost lots of time and money. Beach is effective at removing mold. Little rust issues may be sanded away.

If you have a large home improvement job, it’s best to hire a professional. Construction professionals, like contractors and designers, do not stay in business unless they have expertise that a homeowner cannot hope to match. They have been trained to do the difficult work associated with major home improvements. Hiring professionals gives you some confidence that your end result will be just what you wanted.

TIP! Always remember to turn the main water supply if you are working on plumbing projects in the bathroom or kitchen. This can help you avoid any potential messes.

Alway have popcorn ceilings examined for asbestos before removal. Asbestos can cause many health problems if not removed and disposed of properly. If asbestos is detected in a ceiling you want to work on, it is best to leave the job to an expert in asbestos removal.

A well-executed landscaping project can make your home and your property more attractive and pleasant. Your grounds can benefit from a whole host of attractive options, not just flowers and shrubs, but vines, mulches, and even beautiful stones, too. Adding proper landscape to your yard greatly increases first impressions and goes a long way in increasing the value of your home.

Homes that are updated usually sell faster and sell for more as well when compared to homes that haven’t been renovated. Updating your kitchen can really help improve your home’s value. You’ll recoup almost all of your investment this way too.

TIP! Be proactive and use a hurricane sock to place at the base of exterior doorways in your home. This product is specifically designed to absorb a good bit of water.

If you remember these improvement tips, you will surely get a good understanding of what to do in your project. The tips can also help you see if you can finish the job on your own or if you need a helping hand.