DIY Projects to Increase the Value of Your Home
Painting the exterior of your house can be a labor intensive project, but depending on the current paint job, it may be well worth the effort. You can save yourself a lot of work if you prepare properly. First, determine what areas of the house need painting, such as the shutters or trim. If the house has been recently painted or just really doesn’t need it, save your money and just refresh the look by painting the shutters a different color. This brings me to the next step; determining the color. Many of the paint companies offer brochures that show exactly what colors look best together, so it simplifies your decision. Keep in mind that your house needs to blend in with the rest of your neighborhood, so don’t be that one person with a bright blue door. Before you begin painting, clean the area you will be painting and scrape off any chipping paint. Cover plants and other landscaping, and you are ready to prime. Make sure to use primer first as it will help you achieve the color you want and you won’t need to use as much paint. Select a good brush and paint on a day with low humidity.
The kitchen is one of the areas of your home that can be upgraded and make a huge difference in the home’s appearance and the value of your home. New appliances can be costly, but if the current ones are very old, then it might be time to buy new. Another way to update is by re-facing the kitchen cabinets. If you need to purchase all new doors, then this project can be rather costly, however the updated look will be worth it. If there isn’t anything wrong with the woodwork, then consider staining a new shade or painting. Another easy way to spruce up your cabinets is by simply changing out the hardware. All that is required is a screwdriver and you’re done!
Kitchen countertops are another area for improvement, and there are a wide variety of materials on the market you can use. The most inexpensive is laminate and can be installed yourself in one day. Some home improvement stores will even come and measure your countertop for you, so that ordering is simple. To install, you first remove the sink from the old countertop, and take out the screws attaching the old countertop to the cabinet base. Lay the new countertop on top of the base and secure with screws, then reinstall the sink and attach plumbing. This project will drastically change the look of your kitchen, and you don’t have to spend a lot for it.
Probably one of the projects that will be noticed the most is flooring. If you have out of style vinyl flooring or stained carpet, think about upgrading to hardwood flooring to increase the value of your home. All hardwood flooring is not the same, so it pays to know the difference, as there is a wide range of prices. Laminate is the cheapest option, and flooring companies have made it very easy to install yourself. You will need to purchase a few tools, such as a saw and rubber mallet, but there isn’t a lot else you’ll need. The pieces lock together, so there isn’t any nailing down. It can be installed over ceramic, concrete, or vinyl flooring as well. Depending on the size of the room, it can be finished in 1 or 2 days.
