Here are 17 of the best time and money-saving home improvement and care hacks that only a contractor would know about. Aluminum foil is one of those everyday kitchen items that we don’t really give much thought to, but it can be used for a lot more than wrapping leftovers. Whether an art-arranging project went awry or you’re tired of looking at dings around the house, concealing wall blemishes is a weekend-worthy project. With a putty knife and surfacing compound, you can easily repair nail holes and other minor wall imperfections. For larger holes, place an adhesive patch over the area and spread an all-purpose drywall compound over it with a trowel.
- Your home might be small, but it doesn’t have to feel that way.
- Some people turn to credit cards or personal loans to bankroll home improvements, but those options come with higher interest rates, sometimes in the double-digit range.
- This unique and crafty DIY combines leftover project paint, ultra high-gloss epoxy and basic craft supplies to recreate the veining lines and texture found in real marble.
“We like theater. We like live music. And so that’s how we spend our money. But then suddenly all that stopped, and so, if I can’t travel, I chose to put my energy in the place where I am.” Americans have been forced to use their houses more — and differently. But that doesn’t account for the huge spike in demand documented by Max Anderson, chief economist at Porch.com. The company is an online marketplace connecting homeowners to contractors. In fact, when it comes to the garden, adding value is often a case of simply tidying up and perhaps putting down some turf. Buyers are most inspired by a blank canvas that they can project their own ideas and lifestyle onto.
Home Improvement for Beginners
Our skilled professionals provide dependable, hassle-free solutions for your home. Replacing carpet or repairing flooring is an improvement that 26% of homeowners make, according to Zillow. If you’ve got lots of rooms with many types of flooring, you might want to bite the bullet and invest in new flooring for all, to create a seamless feel throughout the house. Wood floors, or even faux-wood floors, are preferable to carpeting even though those options can be more costly, Matke says. If, however, you can’t afford to upgrade to wood, new carpeting is still a major selling point. And just like with painting walls, a good neutral color is best.
How We Organized Our Small Kitchen
White could become a magnet for stains, but a cool-toned blue, green, or neutral can have the same impact. Leave just an inch of space, or have the fabric pool onto the floor for a dramatic effect. Stick with vertical fabric prints, like stripes, to make the walls look tall. Make a dramatic impact with a weekend’s worth of work and a frameless glass shower kit, which starts at $450. Just make sure you have a second pair of hands, advises this step-by-step guide from the design junkies at Hunker.
As long as you don’t live in a listed building, you should be fine to move the bathroom upstairs without planning permission. If you’re in an older property and have enough space, doing this will also allow you to expand your kitchen. Both could improve your home’s value and saleability significantly, even if it means sacrificing a small bedroom entirely. Speak to a local estate agent for an idea of what your home will be worth after any work is done.