Friday, May 17, 2013

10 Weekend Home Improvement Projects

Looking for some weekend projects to spruce up your home?  

Check out these 10 Weekend Home Improvement Projects:


1) Make Your Entrance Inviting
A cheery front-door color and a touch of landscaping can do wonders for your home's curb appeal -- and make a lasting impression on guests. Dress the door with new hardware, and add a welcome mat and potted plants near the entrance. Consider installing outdoor lighting to enhance your home's architecture and illuminate the walkway. 














2) Light Up the Kitchen

Dress up an eating area with a fresh light fixture. Replacing an existing fixture is your easiest option: Just turn off the power at the breaker box and connect the wires.













3) Add Molding
Living room, dining room, great-room: Any common area looks better with the finishing, defining touch of crown molding. If you live in a historic home, make sure your molding choices complement your home's architectural style.  Crown molding can get tricky so pick up a mitre saw and a pen nailer to help get the job done.












4) Update Your Hardware
Spice up your cabinets and drawers by replacing factory-issue handles and pulls with designs that reflect your personal taste. For a unique, eclectic look, scour antiques shops for hardware pieces.
See how to choose cabinet hardware.













5) Get a Built-In Look
Create extra storage in a snap with kits forbookcases or shelving that you assemble yourself. Try a
cabinet/open shelving combination for display spaces.



















 6) Install a New Faucet
Inject elegance into your daily life with a faucet that ups the ante in looks and quality. Just make sure the configuration matches your existing sink, or you might end up replacing that, too.














7) Replace Your Showerhead
Choose a low-flow unit and you'll get virtually the same sensation of water flow while saving money on your water bill. If your shower head flow is already low (and shouldn't be), check to see if hard-water deposits are clogging the holes.













8) Replace an Appliance
If you bought your refrigerator before 1993 or your dishwasher before 1994, when the federal energy-efficiency guidelines for each went into effect, consider replacing them with more efficient models. Some newer models use at least 15 percent less energy than required by current federal standards and 40 percent less energy than the conventional models sold in 2001.
















9) Dress Up Your Fireplace
If it's time to replace that dingy 1970s-era mantel, choose one with enough depth to let you display pictures or other decorations. If you buy a ready-made mantel, don't be afraid to paint it or add moldings.















10) Strip & Stain Wood Cabinets
Stripping and staining cabinets takes only a weekend, and it will give your space a major facelift. Sealing cabinets with polyurethane will also increase durability. Begin by removingcabinet doors and hardware. Wipe cabinet fronts and doors with mineral spirits to remove any dirt, dust, and grease. Apply a gel-type stripper per manufacturer's instructions, and then remove the stripper with a plastic putty knife. Next, sand the wood with sandpaper. Using a disposable sponge brush, apply stain in the direction of the cabinets' wood grain. Allow the stain to dry thoroughly, and seal with polyurethane.





Source: Better Homes & Garden




If you need more information or if we can help you find a Scottsdale Homes For Sale contact us at 480-433-4877, email us at info@kellycookhomes.com or follow us on any of the below links. 
Author: Kelly Cook




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