Doing home improvement projects does not have to cost a fortune. If you are willing to put a little effort into it, you can do a lot of them by yourself. The money that you save on labor can be channeled into buying better materials. Having some experience in house repairs would be great but it isn’t really required. Even simple things can make a big visual impact. It’s all about creativity and making bold design choices. Here are a few suggestions that you can start with:
1. Put up LED lighting around the house.
LED lights can come as a standard bulb model or in more interesting configurations such as strips, tapes, and other fixtures, making them incredibly versatile. When they first came out they were expensive but over time the cost has come down and the technology has improved by leaps and bounds. LEDs are wonderful as they can provide a wide range of illumination intensity. They consume very little power (so they save on your electric bill) and contain no mercury so they are great for the environment. They can be used in numerous applications, are extremely easy to install, and can last for many years.
Use LEDs in the kitchen to illuminate the drawers and the cabinets. You will never have a hard time finding anything again. Place them above the countertop to help you manage the ingredients when doing food preparation. Focus them on your room décor for some dramatic lighting effects. Install an LED strip along the stairs to guide you at night and prevent accidents. LED bulbs use less energy than fluorescent ones to get the same brightness and much less than incandescent bulbs.
2. Add a natural stacked stone backsplash in the kitchen.
The typical kitchen uses common ceramic tiles for the backsplash. They get the job done but are rather dull in appearance. If you want to add more flare to your kitchen, replace them with beautiful natural stacked stone. This will create an eye-catching backsplash with gorgeous warm colors and complex texture. Every installation is unique as no two stones are alike. Attach them to the wall and apply the sealant to prolong their lifespan. They look elegant and may seem like high maintenance but are actually a breeze to clean.
If the stacked stones are installed all the way down to the countertop, then be careful about using harsh chemicals as they can cause some damage. The LED lights mentioned above would work really well with these natural stones as they will highlight the warm colors and allow them to stand out.
3. Dress up the windows with curtains and shades.
Windows are wonderful opportunities to add visual interest in a room. Think about it. They occupy sizeable areas of walls and are naturally illuminated by the sun. They tend to draw the eyes without much effort. If these can be made to look better, then the overall appearance of the house can be improved significantly. This can be done by adding treatments such as curtains and shades. Using a more ornate curtain rod will be nice, as well. Pick one with a nice metallic finish or get a wooden rod with fine grains to achieve a more classic appearance.
Curtains fade over time as sunlight breaks down the color pigments. Vibrant patterns become stale and lifeless. Replacing these with new ones during your home improvement can make a huge difference. Choose light-colored curtains to minimize the effect of fading and have them last much longer. Light and thin fabric allows more light into a room while a dark and heavy fabric blocks it out. Select the appropriate type for your needs.
See Also:
- Home Improvement Rewards Credit Cards
- Choosing Window Treatments That Are Worth The Investment
- How to Turn Your Small Spare Room into a Home Theater
Resources:
LED kitchen by chenutis on Flickr
