Great Home Improvment Tips for Your Little
Corner of the World
Whether you own a philipbarron, century-old Victorian, in need of a complete overhaul or an 80s-era
gem, that needs a new kitchen, most homes can benefit from a bit of home improvement. All at once or
a little at a time, this article will show you how to keep costs down and get the home you desire.
In northern climates where heavy snow covers the ground all winter, you may lose track of where the
borders of pathways are. To avoid this it is a good idea to put a 4' X 4' lumber bordering the paths. Then,
when you are shoveling snow, you will know exactly where the edge of the path should be.
Fix floor squeaks with a few drywall screws. While a second person waits below in the crawl space or
basement, walk over your floor and locate where the squeaking is occurring. Signal to the person below
where the problem is. They can insert a drywall screw through the sub floor and into the flooring to stop
the squeak.
Use carpet samples to carpet a whole room! Retail stores often throw away their samples. Cut each
sample up into smaller pieces and tack or glue them into place for free floor covering. Cut them in
identically sized pieces for a tile effect or cut them in irregular geometric shapes for an abstract look.
For an energy efficient upgrade, replace your hot water heater with a tank-less model. The new tankless heaters only heat the water as it is needed as opposed to keeping 50 gallons or more heated at all
times. This change will help your utility bills and the environment.
Give your bathroom a unique touch by deciding on a theme. Most people spend hours in their
bathrooms, but apart from the coordinated colors, nothing seems to be unique. Come up with fun
themes like pirate, under the sea, at the beach, or shipwrecked. Finding accessories for your idea can be
fun and give your bathroom a sense of personality.
Talking to a friend who is a contractor or does other work related to construction can often provide
some helpful insights. They will have a good idea of what needs to be done for a certain project. They
may even be willing to lend a hand for a difficult or tricky home improvement task.
Soak your hands in salad oil after completing an oil painting job. The oil will help release the paint from
where it has splattered on your hands. Salad oil smells better and is a lot safer than the typical cleanup
choices of mineral spirits or kerosene.
Buying new appliances can actually save you money in the doors. Now a days, companies have invested
a lot of money in appliances that conserve energy. If you buy a new fridge that uses less electricity,
during the life of the refrigerator, you will actually be saving money.
Write a list of things you might need before going to the store. Having a list helps you cut down on the
number of store trips, and it will keep you much more organized.
It is important to turn the breaker off when doing any electrical work. Touching live wires without
having disconnected the power supply can cause electrocution and even death.
Keep bowls of fresh fruit on your dining room table and kitchen counters. Use a decorative bowel and fill
it with bananas, pre-washed apples, oranges, even grapes. Not only will the bowls of fruit add beauty to
your home they will be right there when you need that quick snack.
Home improvement does not need to put you in the poor house. With a bit of know how and a bit of
sweat, you can fix up your home without breaking the bank. Follow the tips outlined in this article and
start the journey towards the home of your dreams.