Activities don't have to be very energetic or huge. They can be very hardworking, small and personal, too. The perfect example of this kind of activity is home improvement. Its main goal is improving upon your home so that it looks how you want it to look. Follow the tips below to get started.
If you heat with a wood stove, smoke will cause your walls to become dingy and you will need to repaint more often than if you heat with a furnace. When you do repaint, it is worthwhile to wipe the walls and ceiling down with a damp sponge to remove as much soot as possible before putting on a new coat of paint.
Have a missing or damaged tile? Take a sample to your local home improvement store to see if they can match the color. Replacing an entire floor of tile is expensive as well as a heinous chore. Save money and time by finding a tile that is a close match to the existing tile.
Don't overlook the addition of storage space to your new or existing home. Most homes are substantially lacking in storage space. Add built in bookshelves to the living room or dining room. Turn a broom closet near the kitchen into a food pantry. Small changes and additions will really add up.
Keep your home smelling scented and fresh by making your own potpourri sachets. Buy some little jewelry organza bags and fill them with store bought potpourri. To boost the scent, pour some aromatherapy oils on top. Display them in different areas of your home to create a nice and scented environment.
You can create a designer spa feeling to your bathroom by incorporating some simple home design ideas such as installing dimmer light switches, candle wall sconces, burning fragrance, and using decorative baskets to hold fluffy towels. You can opt to paint your wall warm colors such as beige, brown or light green which give it a nice spa like touch.
You can stop heat loss from your hot water heater easily by covering it in a jacket. The jacket, which can be found at any hardware store, stops heat loss by 70%, making your home more energy efficient.This saves you money in the long run, as you can quickly regain the cost of the jacket in as little as 6 months.
If you lack experience and skill in home repairs, do not hesitate to seek advice from a professional contractor beforehand. A simple piece of advice from an expert can steer you away from making immensely frustrating (and costly!) mistakes. If you dive in without the advice of a professional, you may very well regret it.
Never install non-operable windows during a home improvement effort. Except for picture windows or large, exotic glazing, every standard-sized window should be capable of opening. Regardless of climate, for every home there will be times of the year and times of the day when cracking the window open is the best form of air conditioning.
For the budget-minded homeowner working on a plumbing home improvement project, plastic PVC piping makes an entirely suitable substitute for expensive copper piping. PVC has been extensively tested and used for years without danger or failure. It is easy to work with and highly durable. The money saved by using PVC can be applied to more visible, usable home improvements.
To save on energy costs, consider adding a series of small fluorescent lighting fixtures under your cabinetry. These lights consume less energy than your overhead light and can cast a glowing light on the counter surface that is ideal for preparing food or illuminating a richly colored counter top or decorative back splash area.
Face it - not everyone needs ten cabinets for their dishes. If your small kitchen is in need of some extra space, consider removing the top row of cabinets. This frees up the wall space for artwork or decorative wall covering and gives you more room to be creative with your cooking surfaces.
To prepare for the winter, don't forget to insulate your pipes to keep the lines from freezing. Weatherizing tape is an easy, affordable and effective option for insulating your plumbing. This will keep your pipes from freezing and bursting.
Use no-VOC paint when painting your house. Traditional paints contain harmful chemicals, but no-VOC paints are made without and are environmentally friendly. These paints are just as easy to work with and as long-lasting as ordinary paints, and the additional expense involved is minimal.
Covering a stain, scratch, broken tile, or any kind of blemish on the floor with a decorative item, can be great for home improvement as well as fast to do. The blemish will disappear from sight, and it will only take as long as buying the decorative item.
Find ways to decrease your water consumption, thereby decreasing your water bill. For example, repair leaky faucets as soon as you discover them, as those wasted drops can add up on your bill over time. Make sure water children are instructed to be careful to not leave water faucets on when not in use. Finally, consider putting in low flow shower heads to decrease water usage.
In home improvement, your first priority should be the good reputation and dependability of your contractor. Don't be lured by a low estimate from a contractor whose reputation is less than stellar. It is only a good deal if the work is done well and on time. Someone who is not well respected, but is inexpensive, will typically do sub par work with cheap materials. You may have to spend more money to fix the work that the lower cost contractor performed. Not only that, but if a project is done incorrectly, it could pose a danger to those in your home. Trust is important when choosing a contractor.
There are different kinds of activities for different kinds of people. As you have read, they don't all involve the outdoors, animals or being incredibly muscular. There are activities that nearly everyone can enjoy, like home improvement. With the above tips in mind, you can reap the benefits for your home too.
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