determined fifths: Small Home Repairs That Make a Big Difference

Do-it-yourself home projects are a great way to improve the appearance of your home, and without further ado, here are several things that you can do to improve the appearance of your home that will not require professional help.

PAINTING

Preparation

Before you begin to paint interior walls, wash them to remove any dust or dirt. The next step is to measure the square footage of the area you intend to paint. You will need this later in order to purchase the right amount of paint. Before painting, consider priming the walls with a paint primer. If you use a good primer, the walls will require less paint for full coverage. Primer produces a beautifully finished wall that will look like a professional paint job.

Color

Colors always add depth and texture to a room. The right color can transform an otherwise dull room into a warm and inviting space. It would be wise to test the paint in the room before you invest in gallons of a color that you may not like. Many paint manufacturers now make small sample cans of their colors. Try a few samples on the wall to ensure that your money is wisely spent. Check out this article on Better Homes and Gardens for color scheme ideas.

After you have completed all of the above steps, you will have to choose the right painting tools and brushes to get the job done. Shop around for the best prices.

UPDATE YOUR KITCHEN

The return on money spent improving a kitchen is exceptionally high, and employing contractors to do the job can be an expensive endeavor that may involve signing performance bonds. You don't have to tear the entire kitchen down to make improvements. Small improvements can change the look of your kitchen.

Cabinets

You can refinish, reface or replace your kitchen cabinets. Refinishing involves sanding, staining and applying a fresh coat of varnish over the surfaces of the cabinets. If you decide to paint the cabinets, coat them with a paint primer before you apply the new color. In this case, the primer is applied to ensure that the paint will properly adhere to the cabinets.

Refacing

Refacing cabinets involve buying new doors for the front of the cabinets. This is a little more expensive to do, but the results can be impressive. Most home improvement stores have cabinet doors in stock that will match the color of your cabinets.

Hardware

Changing the hardware on your cabinets can significantly change the look of your kitchen. New knobs are relatively inexpensive, and they are offered in an array of styles. Attaching the knobs will require nothing more than a screwdriver.

Cabinet Replacement

This process is a little more involved; however, it's worth the trouble. Measure the size cabinets you will need and choose a style at one of the home improvement stores in your area. Installing the cabinets is a simple matter of unscrewing the cabinets from the wall and replacing them with new cabinets. This is a two person job. You will need someone to support the cabinets while you unscrew them. Be sure to measure your cabinets twice to ensure that you have the right measurements before you place your order.

Countertop Replacement

Replacing the countertops is a great way to give your kitchen a facelift. Granite is the most desirable choice; however, it can be expensive. There are many types of countertops that cost a lot less. Some are just as attractive in appearance as the more expensive choices.

Properly measuring your counter space is the most important part of this job. You can order new countertops from a kitchen or home improvement store. They will cut the countertops to the exact measurements that you provide. You will need the proper adhesive to install your countertops. Shop around for the one that best suits the type of material you have chosen for your countertops.

Installing the countertops is relatively simple. Position the countertops to see if they fit properly. Once you are sure they are the right fit, apply the adhesive on the on the tops of your cabinets. If you have a corner seam, caulk it with a colorless caulk.

UPDATE YOUR BATHROOM

The bathroom is also an important room in your home. If you have tile in your bathroom, one of the easiest ways to make it look better is to clean the grout. You can do this with a grout cleaner and a grout brush. If it still looks dirty after it dries, you will have to replace the grout. Remove part of the old grout by scraping the top surface. Apply the new grout to the top surface. When it dries, you will notice a remarkable improvement. Your tile will appear much brighter after the process of replacing the grout.

Fixtures

If your faucets and fixtures are old, replace them. Replacements are fairly inexpensive, and it will make a tremendous difference in how your bathroom will look. Turn off the main water line before you begin to unscrew any of the fixtures.

If the cabinets or countertops are not in good shape, you can replace them. Just like the kitchen, the cabinets can be painted for a cleaner appearance. Try painting them an eggshell color and changing the knobs to a brushed nickel finish. Brushed nickel goes with nearly everything, and it's inexpensive.

Bathtubs

If you have a bathtub that has a lot of nicks and scrapes, you can either refinish or replace it. If you decide to refinish, there are many products on the market that work wonders on the surface of an old bathtub. Shop around for the one that best suits your needs. If you follow the manufacturer's instructions closely, you should have a beautifully refinished bathtub without the high cost of buying a new one.

Take precautions to protect your lungs when working with chemicals. A good mask should be sufficient for small jobs.

Kent Yuen is a writer for Granite Transformations, a?home remodeling company?with exciting ideas for home improvement.