Easy Home Improvement Projects

Here are a few easy home improvement projects which will give your home a face-lift without spending a fortune. Some jobs can make a surprisingly big difference in the look of your house - so much so that it might seem like you moved. You can get a big bang for your decorating buck with these simple suggestions.

Repaint the Walls

A fresh coat of paint can make big changes to the look and feel of your home. Not only are there a dizzying number of colors to choose from, but you can also consider using sponge applications or rags, rather than brushes and rollers, to give a wall a faux look.

With faux finishes, there are 2 colors used - a background shade, and the accent color. One technique that I've used, and been happy with, is to install a chair rail, paint everything with the background color, and only apply the accent color above the chair rail.

You can pick up books that explain the technique from your local hardware store or home center. Some stores even offer "how-to" classes you can attend. Always test your technique out on a piece of scrap wood or drywall to see what it will look like before you begin on the walls.

Add decorative moldings

Adding moldings can be a bit tricky when it comes to the corners, but they will change a room from drab to dramatic overnight. If you're doing this yourself, use a good miter box and test the cuts on scrap pieces first. This project can be made even easier by using pre-finished trim.

Refinish Cabinetry, or just change the cabinet hardware

Renovating a kitchen is a big and costly job. There are a couple of easy home improvement projects that can make a huge difference. Changing the color of the cabinets from dark to light can make a big difference in the appearance of the room, and changing the hardware is something anyone with a screwdriver can do, without spending a lot of money.

Another item that can make a visual impact is the faucet. If you're changing the finish of the cabinet hardware, you should also have a faucet with a finish to match. If you're handy, you probably can do some of these yourself for even greater savings.

Changing your floors

Upgrading your carpets can make a big difference. Changing the flooring in a kitchen or bath from linoleum to tile, or going from carpet to hardwood in your bedroom, can make it seem like you're in a new home. The expense is higher than our other suggestions, but WOW! what a change.

Not all easy home improvement projects have to be the type that change the look of a room. You might simply want to maintain your home better.

Easy maintenance jobs

* Clean your outside A/C compressor. Turn the power off, remove the top grill with the fan, use your hose to spray from the inside out, remove any remaining leaves and debris, and clean the surrounding area so that new leaves don't get sucked into the compressor.

* Scrape windows and mirrors with a flat razor to remove paint or other spots that are on the glass. Then wipe with a glass cleaner.

* Caulk the baseboards so that the dark line doesn't draw your eye down where you can see scuffs and dust. The thing is - you have to be neat, not sloppy, when applying the caulk.

* Wash (or repaint) the front door. The front door is important for the curb appeal of your home. If it's clean and neat, it will be welcoming to visitors.

* If your carpets have an unpleasant odor, sprinkle baking soda over your carpet and then sweep it in. Let is sit overnight to absorb odors, then vacuum it up.

* Use an old toothbrush to get rid of crusty buildup on your faucets, or around the edges of your sink.

* Do some paint touch ups. Little nicks in your painted walls or woodwork can be annoying. If it itches, scratch it.

You may not think you can do all these easy home improvement projects by yourself. So hire the occasional specialist. It will still be a lot cheaper than getting a contractor to do everything. Lastly, take your time - enjoy the journey.

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