18 affordable DIY home improvement ideas

Asbestos, which is often common in older homes, can be a serious health hazard as well. It’s a very good idea to call in a professional to help with anything that involves asbestos or lead-based paint. A sketch on a cocktail napkin, full-blown architectural plans, or just House & Home Improvement a firm set of thoughts about how the remodel should progress is a good place to start. It is cheaper and less frustrating to correct mistakes before the remodel takes physical form. One of the first considerations is to be sure that you have funding for your renovation.

• Give outdated floors a refresh with our step-by-step guide to painting and stenciling ceramic tile.
• You’ll get a lump sum payment at the beginning of your loan term, and then have monthly payments until you repay what you borrowed .
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Conventional wisdom among estate agents is that kitchens and bathrooms sell homes, so if you’re thinking of improving with a view to selling on, this is a good place to start. A new kitchen can add 5% to the value of your home while a new bathroom can add 3% according to figures from Zoopla. However, it’s a good idea to weigh closing costs against interest rate savings and the potential increase in value to determine if a cash-out refinance makes sense for you. If you plan to move soon or take out only a small amount of money, a cash-out refinance may not be the best option. In most cases, you’ll need a credit score of at least 620 to do a cash-out refinance.

Furthermore, some cards may even give you rewards, such as money-back perks or airline miles. To avoid draining your accounts, build up a savings pot and set a budget for your project. You could either wait for the works until you’ve saved all the money or use your savings first before taking on lower debt. According to financial experts, cash is the cleanest way to fund your project, as you’re not beholden to a lender.

The Home Improvement Research Institute predicted Americans spent $439.9 billion on home improvement products in 2020. Some are converting their garages into workout rooms or offices by removing doors and integrating the areas into the larger home space. Cleaning throughout the renovation process can help minimize the damage, so make sure you have all of your supplies on hand. Dryer sheets, a broom, a vacuum cleaner, a mop, tape, and tarping materials can all be useful in containing dust and debris during a home improvement project.

Restore Your Front Door

Some homes above $200,000 in Russell’s area have a larger laundry room with a drop zone for children’s backpacks and shoes, or connect the laundry room to the master bedroom instead of the kitchen. “You’re able to access your laundry room from your master bedroom, but you also can access it from your hallway,” she says. You are likely to recoup an estimated 80% of window replacement costs at resale, according to a survey of HomeLight agents. As for windows, the government’s minimum energy-efficiency standards for new windows vary nationwide based on your climate zone.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Talk to a contractor about a doorless no-step shower that turns the bathroom into a resort-like retreat that will always be accessible regardless of future mobility needs. “A rain showerhead installed in the ceiling — or, better yet, multiple showerheads — makes you feel like you’re on vacation,” Boyd says. Built-in shower seating is luxurious today and practical for tomorrow. “Hiring an electrician to add lighting to your entrance and front steps might cost a little, but it feels like a million-dollar fix up,” says Pennington. Unsurprisingly, your contractor is the most important professional for your project. After all, it’ll be this expert who’ll be bringing your vision to life.

If your home refurbishment project comes with a lot of boring tiles, or maybe you just don’t have the budget to fork out on exciting ones, you can create your own custom tiles! Decided on a feature wall but struggling to pick a wallpaper? Or maybe you’ve already done your painting but your room still feels a bit plain? We’re here to tell you that a feature wall can be so much more than just wallpaper.