Category Archives: Home improvement

Easy Weekend Projects for Your Kitchen

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You have a free weekend coming up. Why not do a fun, easy DIY project to improve your kitchen? Here are some easy projects that can be completed in one weekend.

Rolling Island

If you have a small, freestanding island in your kitchen, you can easily make it into a rolling one that you can move around the kitchen as needed. All you need to do is turn it onto its side and add some dual wheel shock absorbing casters to the legs. Voila! Your weekend project is done.

Under-Cabinet Lighting

Under-cabinet lights are easy to purchase and install. Yet, they make such a difference in your kitchen. Suddenly, you will be able to see what you are doing when you are at a kitchen counter. They also make your kitchen look more modern.

A New Kitchen Faucet

Upgrade your kitchen sink instantly by installing a new, modern faucet. This is an easy project that can be completed in a couple of hours. If your faucet doesn’t come with installation instructions, you will find plenty of help on YouTube.

Change Out Cabinet Hardware

Most cabinet hardware uses the same configuration of screws, so it is easy to change out. Just purchase some new, more interesting hardware, swap it in, and watch your kitchen be instantly transformed. This change is easy on the budget, too.

Add a Backsplash

Install a backsplash between your countertops and your cabinets. If you don’t want to mess around with tile and grout, you can purchase peel-and-stick backsplash panels that look very good. A backsplash will add visual interest to your kitchen. No one will realize how easy it was to do.

These DIY projects are so simple that you could probably do more than one in a single weekend if you want. They are a quick and inexpensive way to upgrade your kitchen.

The Three Main Areas of Landscaping

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Whether you are selling your home or simply trying to make it more pleasant for those who already live there, the landscape can have a huge impact. The following are the three main areas of landscaping. 

Photo by James Lewis on Unsplash

Cleanup

Cleaning up your yard is the first place to start. Rake the leaves and pick up any trash. If necessary, pressure wash the driveway. Pressure washers are often available to rent from hardware stores. Consider moving bikes, scooters and other sporting equipment to the garage or a shed. Most play equipment can be cleaned with dish soap and a water hose. If you have a swimming pool, skim it regularly and make sure the water is clear and clean. When the pool is closed, don’t forget to remove debris from the cover.

Hardscaping

Your yard’s hardscape consists of all its hard elements: walkways, patios, fences, etc. Make sure all of the existing structures are in good repair. Replacing cracked paving stones and painting the fence are fairly easy ways to freshen up an outdoor space. If you would like to add to your yard’s hardscape, a service such as masonry Avon MA can help you choose practical and decorative structures that can enhance your yard’s usability and appearance.   

Softscaping

The softscape of a yard includes all of the living elements: grass, trees, flowers, etc. Keep your grass cut and your shrubs trimmed. Remove weeds as needed. Choose plants that complement your overall landscape and thrive in your area. The USDA Hardiness Zones map can help you determine which plants will do well in your yard. 

Any yard can be beautiful. The key is to begin with a clean and tidy area, then strike a balance between the hardscape and landscape. Too much hardscape can make your yard feel cold and commercialized, while too much softscape can make it seem overgrown. 

Home Improvement – Getting Organized

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Whether you’ve been in your home for 25 years or just moved in last week, there are likely some things you want to change about it. Here are some thoughts to help you stay organized and make the process easier.

Photo by Roselyn Tirado on Unsplash

Decide What You Want Done

When you are working on remodeling your home, there are so many things you can do! You may want to make a list of all the things you’d like to have done and then prioritize the list into items that have to be done right away, those that need to be completed soon, and the things that can wait for a while.

Create a Budget

Whether you have a few small things that need to be changed or you want to do a whole-home renovation, you need to know how much money you have available to spend on the project. Some of the big-ticket items will be the amount you pay a contractor to do the job and the materials needed for it. Of course, things like permits cost money and can take time, too. If your contractor works with a DOT permit expeditor, you may be able to get started sooner rather than later.

Shop Around for a Contractor

Unless you do remodeling for a living, you are going to need to hire someone who does. Get at least three bids and be sure to ask questions. Don’t just take the reviewers’ words for things. You should ask directly about how long it will take, when the contractor could actually start, and what the cost will be. Be sure to find out if they will be taking care of permits for construction or driveway repair so you are sure everything is being done properly.

No matter what type of repairs or revisions you are making, having someone who knows what they are doing can give you peace of mind. Then, when it’s all completed you can sit back and enjoy it.