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If you're out of drain cleaner, don't rush to the store to get some. According to Doyle James, president of Mr. Rooter Plumbing, equal parts baking soda and vinegar will get that clog out in no time without damaging your pipes. If you want to clean your home and reduce your carbon footprint in one fell swoop, swap out those disposable dusting cloths in favor of reusable microfiber ones. "They trap dust and any type of gunk really well and the best part is that they are reusable. Just put the cloth in the washing machine, dry it, and it will be like new." Jones recommends combining one part white vinegar and three parts water in a microwave-safe bowl and letting it heat up in the microwave for two minutes. Once that's done, all that's left to do is wipe the mess away with a paper towel or reusable cloth.
To quickly and easily rehabilitate your existing fireplace, a gas or wood-burning insert adds energy efficiency to your home without tearing apart your hearth and mantel. Equipping your fireplace with glass doors blocks heated and cooled air from escaping and amplifies the fire's heat, which in turn reduces energy costs. Closing the damper when the fireplace is not in use will help keep cold out of your home and add to heating efficiency. Having your fireplace and chimney professionally cleaned will also improve fireplace efficiency.
Install a Low-Cost Stair Runner
But what happens when you’re on a super tight budget and your priority is to increase your home’s future sales value? 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 potted plants near the entrance. Consider installing outdoor lighting to enhance your home's architecture and illuminate the walkway. Replace your worn-out welcome mat with a bold statement mat to create a warm and welcoming ambiance for your home. While some plants are touted as helping to improve indoor air quality because they release oxygen, they are still allergy triggers for many people.
It's bad enough to have to get up in the morning, let alone get up and experience the icy shock of a cold floor. What you need is some warmth underfoot, a little cushion as you pad across the house. Resilient yet durable, stylish yet earthy, a natural cork floor can turn any cool room into a cozy haven. See How to Install a Low-Cost Stair Runner for full step-by-step instructions.
Refresh Your Rooms With Paint
Green veggies like spinach, Swiss Chard and broccoli are full of micronutrients, vitamins and carotenoids-antioxidants, which could help to protect your cells against cancer. They’re also low in carbohydrates, high in fiber and rich in iron and magnesium. Try adding at least one green veggie to all your meals to up the ante on your nutrition.
Luxury vinyl tile can be purchased for as low as $2 per square foot. Remembering to keep your kitchen surfaces degreased will help avoid smells and keep your cabinets and paint in good shape. Dawn Heavy-Duty Degreaser is an easy and safe way to clean your kitchen cabinets, kitchen walls, appliance surfaces, backsplash, and counters to easily cut through grease. House Beautiful also recommends leaning into the cleansing powers of baking soda and airing out your home frequently by opening windows and doors to let fresh air in. Make sure you test your flooring finishes before getting started in order to select the right products for the job.
Hang Outdoor String Lights
Better Homes and Gardens has a great tutorial on how to upgrade your cabinetry. Think outside the box with stone, wood, or metal faceplates that match your personality. Removing them is time-consuming and exhausting, but it absolutely pays off in the updated value of your home.
Danner said for outside lighting, use bulbs that are a bright white instead of the orange kind. The brighter lighting allows neighbors to accurately see people who might try to break in, including their hair color, clothing and the color of their vehicle. You might feel your home has plenty of space, but prospective buyers tend to be all about square footage these days.
Painting, re-grouting tile, and power washing the outside of your home won’t cost a lot of money, but these do-it-yourself home improvement ideas can add real value to your home. If you want to make your space more attractive, functional, and appealing to someone willing to pay top dollar, it's time to add some storage and clear up that cluttered space. "It takes someone one minute to decide if they want to enter your home. If you are selling, that minute can cost you thousands in lost opportunities and days on the market!" says Gianna. "Give your home a fighting chance. Paint your front door and shutters . This is cheap and a must—akin to washing your face before leaving the house! Use deep, bold blues, greens, and wine tones to add style."
If you don’t, you should consider hiring a professional to do the installation for you, to make sure your project is up to code and is not a safety hazard. Expect to pay around $360 for one recessed light plus installation. When it comes to actual projects that involve improvements, Hill says he would spend his money on a combination of the following.
Lucky for you, we’ve done the legwork to provide you with a list of the best easy DIY and hire-out projects to add value to every room of the house. Boost curb-appeal in one day.Invest in a garage door made from solid wood and decked in stunning hardware — especially if it sits at the front of your house. Dooley also recommends keeping items used outdoors, like bugspray and sunscreen, in this space, and adding some shallow baskets to consolidate any clutter, like toys or miscellaneous accessories.
So, if indoor allergens are a problem, you'll want to avoid them, says Dr. BuSaba. If washing the exterior of your home didn’t brighten it up as much as you’d hoped, consider a new paint job. This task relates more to maintaining your home’s value than increasing it, but it’s essential. Without properly functioning gutters, which are designed to carry water away from your home, rain may seep inside or pool around the foundation, causing problems such as mold and mildew.
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