Many people put off their home improvement projects because they do not have the funds to hire a professional contractor. If you have a little experience and the physical ability, there are a number of updates you could do yourself. There are many sources of information to help you understand every step of the process. Use the guidelines of this article to decide if you should try a DIY project.

Most homeowners can see several areas where their home could be improved. If you have never attempted to do a home improvement project before, pick an area where only a small amount of work is needed. Once you are able to successfully finish a small project, the experience you have gained will give you the confidence to tackle another one.

Once you have chosen the project you intend to work on, prepare by making a list of the materials and tools you need. If you do not know exactly what you need, a visit to your local builders’ supply store can help. Find someone who works in the department that sells the materials you need and ask for advice. If you are not able to educate yourself enough by talking to someone, look for books available on the subject. It is a good idea to have a book about basic home improvement projects on hand while you are working, just in case you need additional information.

Another great source of information is the Internet. It is possible to find nearly any information that you might need by using a search engine. Very often there are drawings or pictures of each step you need to take while working on your project.

It is a good idea to check the prices of all the materials you will need to finish your project. If you need to purchase any additional tools, include the cost of that as well. After you have added up all the expense of doing the project, add a little extra for unexpected expenses. Now you have the information you need to decide whether or not you can afford to go forward with your home improvement project.

Unless you are a single home owner, you will need to have the support of your spouse and family before you make the decision to try your DIY project. There is a lot to be considered if your kitchen will not be functioning for a period of time. You could set up a temporary kitchen somewhere else in your home, perhaps in the basement or near your laundry area. You will need access to water and electricity so you can prepare food and clean up afterwards. Make sure you have the support and cooperation of your family before you begin. Home improvement projects can be messy and take longer than planned.

If you choose your home improvement project carefully and educate yourself adequately, completing a do it yourself project successfully can be very satisfying. Use the tips in this article to make sure your DIY project is something you can be proud of.

We all want to add beauty and comfort to our homes, but if you are thinking of selling your house anytime soon, you need to think about value. Check out the following ways you can improve your home’s value, without spending exorbitant amounts of money.

A mini kitchen makeover. Everyone loves a warm and welcoming kitchen; if yours isn’t up to par, spend the weekend spiffing it up yourself for just a few hundred dollars. Buy new door handles for all the cabinets, modern and energy efficient lighting fixtures and pick up a brand new faucet for the sink. If your budget will allow it, replacing or refinishing all of the cabinet facing will make the entire kitchen look fresh out of a magazine and gorgeous.

A face-lift for the bathroom. Bathrooms are very important to would-be home buyers, and updating them can make it a lot more pleasing. Adding a new toilet seat and pedestal sink can be very quick and economical and will immediately dress up the room. Putting in new flooring and window decorations will complete the look of your bathroom with style. If the tiling in the shower or tub is dingy and old, rerouting will remedy that in less than a day and for under $100. Look for anti-fungal grout and be careful not to add too much water to the mix.

Adding an extra bedroom. An outdated den or carpeted area of the basement can quickly and cheaply be made into a full bedroom. The greater the number of bedrooms, the greater the resale value of your home. To make any room an instant boudoir, simply install a standard closet. Go online for a DIY site or visit your local home improvement store; most closets can be installed, drywall included, for less than two thousand dollars.

Increasing storage space. Older homes especially are lacking in necessary storage space, which really adds appeal to buyers. Clean up all of the closets in the house and add in handy organizers that increase the efficiency of space usage. If you happen to have a small and under-used room in your home, think about gutting it out and making it a walk-in closet. This adds to the customization that potential buyers will see in your home, as well as the charm.

Improving the grounds. Although this sounds obvious, lots of homeowners fail to fully capitalize on the value of a well-manicured and scaped lawn. Keep your grass trimmed and well fed, especially close to show times. Add shrubs and plants throughout the property that will make it look larger than it actually is and be more inviting.

Getting your house in tip-top shape for potential buyers can be a lot of work, but the payout in the end will be well worth your efforts. Make sure you consider all the above advice before determining the asking price for your home, to be sure you can get the maximum return on your time and investment.

Whether you’re trying to sell your house or simply want to update its look, changing your decor can cost a large chunk of change. Here are some less-expensive alternatives to a full renovation that will boost your home’s appeal without breaking the bank.

1. Replace old, worn or outdated light fixtures. Bringing your lighting into the modern era is a great way to enhance a room. Look for inexpensive ceiling fans, flush-mount fixtures and other options at big-box home retailers. Make sure that any fixture you choose takes standard light bulbs; hunting down specialty bulbs can be a pain.

2. Give old cabinets a face-lift with a few coats of paint. Choose a long-wearing latex enamel paint to get the durability of oil-based paints without the odors or messy clean-up. You can replace your old hardware, if you wish, or you can spray-paint drawer pulls and knobs to change their look.

3. Add a backsplash to your kitchen. Backsplashes make it easier to keep the walls in your kitchen clean, protecting them from splatters and stains. They are also decorative, adding personality to your kitchen and enhancing its design. Ceramic, glass or metal tiles are common backsplash materials, although you can also use wallpaper or vinyl to create unique designs behind your counters.

4. Update your sink and bath fixtures. Gleaming new faucets and showerheads, especially those with modern designs, can improve the whole look of your kitchen or bath. If plain chrome doesn’t mesh well with your current decor, think outside the box and try design in brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze–but keep in mind that these may be more expensive.

5. Improve your home’s storage space. You can overhaul your current storage space without an addition to your home. Use a storage bench, overhead shelves and hooks to keep your entryway looking tidy, for instance. Add lazy Susans or extra shelves to cabinets to keep them neat and their contents accessible. Don’t forget about overlooked spaces like the backs of doors; you can hang your measuring cups on the inside of a cupboard door, or use an over-the-door shoe organizer to stash toiletries in the bathroom.

6. Add faux wainscoting. With just a chair rail, some paint and a few strips of wood that reach from the rail to the floor, you can make your dining room, breakfast nook or bathroom pop. Simply mount the chair rail at the desired height, and add flat, narrow strips of wood at regular intervals to create vertical stripes that reach the baseboards. Paint everything from the chair rail down the same color.

7. Simplify and declutter. If your home feels cramped and overwhelmed, it’s hard to accent its best features. Spend a few weeks in “purge” mode, actively picking up items throughout your home and considering how often you use them. Keep three boxes in a high-traffic area labeled “Give away,” “Repurpose,” and “Repair.” If it doesn’t fit into one of those three categories, it should probably head for the trash. Be ruthless in your decision-making, and enjoy a home that is free of random clutter.

With these simple DIY projects, you can make your home more appealing to potential buyers, or simply enjoy your updated space yourself. These small home makeovers can drastically alter the look of your home without the high cost of a full renovation.