Improvement Home


Save Time and Money with Do-it-Yourself Home Improvements A


s warm weather rolls in, the for sale signs start going up. Homeowners are increasingly looking for ways to


update their living spaces and maintain the value of their homes without completing extensive or expensive renovations. Whether it’s adding a fresh coat of


paint to outdated bathroom walls or new hardware to kitchen cabinets, there are many ways homeowners can improve their spaces without spending a lot of time or money. One of the best resources for do-it-


yourself tips is DIY blogs. Bloggers tackle various home projects and document their journey online to help readers overcome their own home improvement hang-ups. With their efficient project know-how, homeowners can find stress-free and cost effective ways to renovate any space.


Area News Group


Hudson - Litchfield News


May 6, 2011 Page 12


Efficient Home Transformations Money Saving Tips - Provided by Sarah


of www.ThriftyDecorChick.com Accent a Room with Borders Give walls a new look with decorative


stencils, wallpaper or papered borders. They are a quick and easy accent that updates any room instantly.


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Add Energy Efficiencies to any Home DIY’ers are discovering that energy-ef-


ficient homes are not only less expensive to own and maintain, but are also friend- lier to the environment. Ways to make the home more energy-efficient include using energy-efficient light bulbs, installing ceil- ing fans and insulating and sealing ducts to maintain the air conditioner.


Clean and Maintain The Furnace Cleaning and maintaining the furnace once a year can make any home more en- ergy-efficient and lower utility bills. By us- ing washable filters, homeowners can save even more money by simply washing and allowing them to air dry. This cuts down on costs and is better for the environment.


Affordable Projects Paint


Adding a fresh coat of paint is one of the most inexpensive and impactful changes a homeowner can make. With great innova- tions in paint like, True Value Hardware’s new EasyCare PLATINUM Paint and Primer in One, you can save time and money, making weekend paint jobs hassle-free. Check out www.TrueValuePaint.com for a full color palette.


Changing Light Fixtures and Hardware Kitchens and bathrooms can be the easiest rooms to update with a few small changes. Replacing old, outdated light fix- tures and cabinet hardware can refresh the kitchen or bath without consuming a ton of money and time with a complete overhaul.


Renovate Old Furniture Updating an old chair or table is an easy


way to spruce up a room. If you’re look- ing for new furniture additions, shop local garage sales and thrift stores for old pieces that can be revitalized with a little sanding, paint and new hardware.


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Set aside time to think through projects and organize your plan of attack prior to jumping in. Utilize great resources for DIY tips on www.StartRightStartHere.com and shop online at www.TrueValue.com for all project needs.


Build Utility Storage Shelves Building a basic utility shelf is a small project homeowners can do themselves to get organized. Planned shelves will put an end to haphazardly stowing away and stacking things in the garage and base- ment—unable to be found again.


Quick Fix-it Project Ideas Replace Old Faucets


Old faucets can make a kitchen or bath- room look dated and dingy. When choosing a new faucet, be sure that it will work with the existing faucet drillings, noting whether they’re center set, widespread or single- hole.


Check Your Asphalt Driveway Seasonal temperature changes can cause asphalt driveways to crack and dip due to water seepage. To sustain durability, be sure to routinely check the driveway and make repairs quickly to avoid further damage. In order to prevent future water seepage, consider sealing the driveway.


Repair, Don’t Replace Tears in window screens can be a frequent and frustrating problem. Before deciding to purchase a new screen, assess the damage. If the tears are small, fix them with a screen patch.


Simple Room Solutions Transform any room into a special haven with these simple fixes: Kitchen


* Beginner: Brighten the heart of the


home by installing new light fixtures. * Experienced: Strip and repaint furniture to revitalize dated pieces and transform a room.


Bathroom


* Beginner: Clean tile grout to instantly refresh bathroom surfaces. * Experienced: Update faucets and cabi- net hardware. Living Room * Beginner: Let more light in by washing


windows to remove layers of debris and film. * Experienced: Install and paint window trim to tie the room together. Bedroom


* Beginner: Redefine the entire room by adding color, or simply a fresh coat of paint. Use a shade or two lighter than the color of the walls to make a low ceiling seem higher. For high ceilings, use a shade or two darker to make the room feel cozy. * Experienced: Create a custom stencil template and add a personal touch to your haven by adding a border.


- ARA Content


Easy Tips for Sprucing Up Your Home’s Exterior


ith spring finally here, there’s no better time to spruce up your home.


But while most families are reor- ganizing closets and making trips to Goodwill, they are neglecting the part of their home guests see first—its exterior. After this year’s harsh, long winter, the outside of your home probably needs more than a little TLC. “This was one of the worst win-


ters America has seen in decades and unfortunately, snow, sleet and freezing rain can be damag- ing to the exterior of any home,” says Rust-Oleum Brand Manager Dirk Sappok. “Moisture can cre- ate the perfect conditions for the growth of mold and mildew. Dirt, grime and salt residue can also be damaging, if left unchecked. But fortunately, there are products available that can make the outside of your home look brand new.”


Here are some tips and tricks for sprucing up


your home’s exterior: Make your home’s siding shine: After getting hit with record-breaking snow


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falls this winter, the exterior of most homes took a beating. Now that it’s getting warmer, it’s the perfect time to freshen up your home’s sid- ing—and you don’t need to hire a professional or rent a power washer to make your home look like new. Try a cleaner like JOMAX House Cleaner and Mildew Killer. It is guaranteed to kill mold and mildew and remove tough stains and stub- born dirt without scrubbing or power washing. Plus it’s safe for use around plants and shrubs. Or for quick and easy routine cleaning, try JOMAX House Wash. Just hook it up to a garden hose, spray, wait five to 10 minutes for dirt and stains to loosen and rinse off.


Put life back into your driveway: A cracked, weathered driveway doesn’t do


much for a home’s curb appeal and it’s often the first thing guests see when they visit your home. Unfortunately, driveway resealing is a project that many homeowners neglect due to the mess and time it requires. But, resealing a driveway doesn’t have to be a time-consuming and messy project. Thanks to breakthrough technology, homeowners can rejuvenate their driveways in one easy step with EPOXYSHIELD Blacktop Coating. Unlike other blacktop sealers that must be applied with a squee- gee, EPOXYSHIELD Blacktop Coating can be rolled onto the surface, just like paint. It’s drive-ready in just four hours, leaving a jet black finish, plus it lasts longer than traditional driveway sealers. Don’t forget your walkways: It’s easy to revive worn sidewalks, porches and


entryways without spending a small fortune on re- placing them. Select a product like EPOXYSHIELD Concrete Resurfacer. It comes in a kit complete with all of the tools you need to renew and restore aged, patched and cracked concrete surfaces. The best part is it can be rolled on, eliminat- ing the mess of replacement or traditional application. For additional spring spruce up ideas and outdoor cleaning tips, visit www.rustoleum.com.


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424-1210 - ARA Content


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