Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Life

Tag: DIY projects

  • Higher Costs Cutting into Your Home Improvement Budget? Opt for These DIY Solutions

    Renovations can add value to your home and increase the enjoyment of your dwelling, but the costs for various projects also have the potential to pile up. What do you do when you want to prepare a home for sale or give it a makeover without going into major debt or depleting your savings?

    Many homeowners turn to DIY solutions that may take some time and a bit of research but often prove worth it in terms of money saved and happiness gained.

    Projects like painting and power washing typically require only a few days to a week of your attention. Others, such as laying tile or resurfacing floors, may demand a lengthier commitment, but with the right attitude, they can produce years of benefit for little cost.

    Here are some DIY solutions you might want to take on if your budget is tight but your inspiration lofty.

    Paint Your Home

    Interior walls with scratches, scuffs, and outdated colors can use a new coat of paint. Fresh paint will likely make a dramatic difference in the overall look of your home and present it nicely to future buyers.

    Depending on your style and interior design goals, you may want to play with color, for instance, painting a statement wall or an entire room in a bold hue. Homeowners who plan to sell in the near future should heed expert advice that says to stick to a neutral shade carried throughout the house.

    Painting an exterior might take a little more work, especially if you have a two-story home. But, those not opposed to erecting and climbing ladders and scaffolding may want to dive into this project.

    With any painting project, it’s important to properly prep your surfaces, research the different paint types and materials, and test your color on a small section. While involved, this DIY solution is usually a much cheaper option than hiring someone to do the job.

    Update Fixtures

    Swapping old outlet covers, switch plates, curtain rods, door knobs, light fixtures, and faucets can be a cheap and easy way to give an outdated home a quick update. Often, homeowners overlook these minor parts of a home until they look so bad they can’t be ignored or it’s time to sell.

    Consider that attractive switch plates and outlet covers typically cost less than $5 each. Additionally, you can usually get modern curtain rods and door knobs cheaply. Good quality light fixtures and faucets may run you a couple of hundred dollars or more (especially for luxury versions with touch or sensor technology built in), but consider their impact on your home for a relatively low cost.

    And, remember that instead of paying a handyman, electrician, or plumber to install fixtures, you can do it yourself and save money. Some great video tutorials available online walk you through every step of the process. Of course, when working with electricity and plumbing, it’s wise to research ways to keep you and your home safe before you begin.

    Upgrade Window Treatments

    Shabby curtains, shades, and blinds don’t add value to your home and they may, in fact, decrease it. For just a small cost, you can upgrade your window treatments yourself to lighter, brighter, and more contemporary versions that provide privacy while giving your home an airy and open look.

    There are plenty of low-budget options available for beautiful drapes, shutters, and horizontal or vertical blinds. Some of the most impressive window treatments we’ve seen, however, require a bit more of an upfront investment (i.e., smart shades and blinds with voice-activated opening and closing) but are still a cost-effective solution if installed yourself.

    Restore or Reveal Hardwood Floors

    It’s possible to bring original or replacement hardwood floors back to their like-new splendor with a little time, elbow grease, and money. Consider that flooring often makes or breaks a room. Imagine, for example, how much more dramatic a dining room or study could be with pristine hardwood to set the mood.

    Likewise, pulling up old flooring to reveal hardwood underneath can be worth the effort, especially in a period home. Not sure if you have hardwood underneath your laminate, tile, or carpet? Some homeowners are willing to take the risk of time and money to pull up a small corner of old flooring and potentially reveal a treasure underneath.

    Stain or Paint Kitchen Cabinets

    Purchasing and installing new cabinets, or even new cabinet doors, is not cost-effective in many markets. Instead, homeowners often trade a little time for a fresh coat of paint to breathe life into a stale kitchen or bathroom.

    As on walls, new paint on cabinets and cabinet doors can completely transform a room. Depending on your design and real estate goals, you may want to paint cabinets a neutral shade or go bold with a dark or bright hue, or lather on an ultra-high gloss.

    Remember, though, that before you start this DIY project, it’s essential, again, that you research methods for prepping your surface and choosing the right materials.

    Are you considering fixing your home and putting it on the market? Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate® can help you when you’re ready.

  • Joyful At-Home DIY Projects – BHGRE #HappyHome

    As we collectively struggle to get through the stay-at-home orders, social distancing, and quarantine that has accompanied the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s no secret that mental health has suffered. In a major way, our emotional well-being has been impacted by our job losses, health anxiety, and limited exposure to friends, family, and people in general.

    From having to learn how to safely putting away groceries to forcing ourselves to don a mask and stay  six feet away from those we care about, we’ve all been through the ringer lately. It has never been more important to focus on self-care and mental health. While there’s no quick fix for the underlying problems we are all facing during these times, there are some small things we can do for ourselves to inspire joy. At-home DIY projects are one way to lighten your mood and help you to feel in control of some aspects of your life, however minor.

    Enjoyable At-Home DIY Projects

    Have you always wanted to repaint your guest bedroom or give your bathroom a new look? These projects likely get shifted to the back burner during typical seasons of life, when work, family, and the chores of daily life get in the way. Now, though, you might be able to squeeze in some home improvement time in between Zoom calls or on stuck-at-home weekends.

    Ready to get started? Painting projects are great because they require more time than you might normally have, but they can be accomplished in a relatively short period of time, like over a weekend or after dinner for several days. You might already have brushes, painters’ tape, and drop cloths at home. A quick online order to curbside pickup at your local home improvement store can yield the paint you need and any other missing supplies. Then, it’s time to open your windows, throw on the radio, and let your thoughts flow as you refresh your home.

    Sick of your bathroom? You can give it an easy facelift by switching out window treatments, shower curtains, bath mats, and towels. Accessories make or break a bathroom, so finding coordinating pieces in one style or color family is a must. You can even get creative and change out drawer pulls to revive a tired vanity.

    DIY Kitchen Projects

    If you’re like most of us, you probably have been spending much more time in your kitchen than usual during this period of social distancing. Why not give it a few refreshes to make your time there more enjoyable?

    Have a messy pantry? Now’s the time to pull everything out. Add shelves made of old wood and mounting brackets, if you so desire. Use storage containers and wire shelves to organize items by type. Move older food products to the front of each row of its type to ensure it gets used before it goes bad.

    Need more organizational strategies? Hang Command hooks on the inside doors of your cabinets to hang measuring cups and spoons by their handles. Invest in a lid-storage container to tame your Tupperware collection. As you go through your kitchen, donate or recycle anything you find that you haven’t used in over a year. No matter how sizable your space, there’s no need to hang on to things that aren’t useful to you.

    Outdoor Projects Spark Joy

    Fill your heart with joy by engaging in some physical activity in the sunshine. Have a garden? Get to weeding, and add a few of your favorite blooms. Take the time to really marvel at your flowers once you’ve finished by sitting outside on a lawn chair and admiring them. Do this regularly so you can really benefit from your labor.

    Get creative with your DIY outdoor projects. Have you always dreamed of a yard mimicking an English cottage garden? Use slate or pavers to build a garden path. Install solar-powered lanterns along your path for maximum enjoyment at night. Roses are an integral aspect of this aesthetic, so invest in a trellis and get several varieties for a colorful treat.

    Do you have a deck? If so, use old fabric scraps to sew decorative pillows for your deck chairs. Add twinkling lights or tiki torches for some nighttime ambiance. Don’t have a deck, but want one? Now could be a great time to get building. Contact your local building authority to be sure you have the necessary permits before you get started. Research deck plans online to get great ideas and specific measurements before you buy any lumber or tools.

  • Art Appreciation Begins at Home: Teach children the value of original pieces from these unexpected sources

    A new generation of art connoisseurs is ready for guidance. Art is meant to be appreciated by everyone and can be done as early as possible, even at home. Children are naturally drawn to the creations of others and delight in having their own imaginations captured. It is also a great way to improve visual thinking skills and so much more. Recent studies show art appreciation provides a foundation for growth in math and reading. It also promotes social-emotional advancement and exercises language skills, which grows vocabulary. Try discussing shades and the process of creation to build more sophisticated language – paraphrase what the children say and ask more in-depth questions. Read on for ways to add a little more creativity to your home.

    DIY projects

    Toddlers can start with color mixing activities. These can be done in a sandwich bag to reduce mess. Grade school children or adults can cut butterfly shapes out of card stock to act as a canvas. Set out primary colors to start. Allow the children to mix red, blue and yellow, which spawn green, purple and orange.  Older children or tweens can have fun with a broader range of colors to make pinks, browns and other hues.

    Claude Monet, the father of French Impressionism, famously attributed his love of art to flowers. Help children of all ages find their inspiration through nature with a fun and easy project. Gather kid-friendly scissors, construction paper, green paint, a paint brush, markers and a popsicle stick. Start by painting the stick green. Have children draw and cut out a flower. Younger children may benefit from an adult tracing one for them. Glue the flower to the stem. Once done, have the budding artists discuss their creations. Show children how much you value their art by showcasing on the fridge or used in tablescapes for a personal touch.

    Selecting from an art gallery

    Parents should prepare children for a visit to an art gallery in advance. They should know not to touch the pieces, keep their voices low and nicely express their opinions. Beyond manners, parents can introduce young ones to a variety of mediums to discover which ones will fit in with their home’s style/aesthetic. Photography, sculpture and paintings are the most common. Older children can be involved in discussions on subject matter, abstract versus conceptual art, and placement. If the piece is going to be hung in a child’s room, discuss focal points, colors and subject matter. Keep in mind children will naturally gravitate toward what gives them comfort and joy. If hanging a piece in a common area such as the family room or kitchen, discuss as a family what would best represent the family and the feelings the piece will evoke. If possible, ask the gallery to arrange a meeting with the artist so they can discuss the work and answer questions. Most are open to nurturing future patrons.

    Renting pieces

    A full commitment to art is not always possible.  Many artists are open to renting their pieces for a short duration. This can be done to bring home new art for seasonal, celebratory or personal reasons. Artists with a wealth of original pieces are eligible to sign up for brick and mortar or online rental services. Higher end services assign curators to visit client homes to assess the space, present options and install pieces. This can be done on a three- to six-month rotation. For digital galleries, parents can browse selections as a family or present final options at the dinner table, offering the opportunity for each family member to discuss their preferences, champion their top choices and learn the art of compromise. Bring a love of art home. Children of all ages will benefit from any efforts made to improve their visual learning and language. This article was inspired by the April 1958 edition of Better Homes & Gardens magazine.