Most homeowners can attest to the fact that owning your home can be costly and requires work. Average homeowners should put aside about one to three percent of their home’s value every year to spend on improvements. However, you can always cut costs; let’s look at some smart ways you can save money while you maintain and improve your dream home.

You can increase your home’s value with one project. If you want to sell your home, think about doing some small home-improvement projects. For example, give your house, inside and out, a fresh coat of paint. Weekend job like these are low-cost and can enhance the value of your home.

It can be very expensive to purchase new furniture. Garage sales and thrift stores offer furniture options at affordable prices. It is possible to find some wonderful furniture treasures in a second-hand or consignment shop. Some things require work, but by investing time, they can become an asset.

It is easy for a small room to be overly dark due to insufficient lighting. Get more light into the room! Clean your windows, and open your blinds. Rooms appear much larger and more open with good natural lighting. Also, use light colors on the walls and keep the clutter to a minimum. Suddenly, your small room will seem to expand.

Ceramic tile starts to wear and look dull after a while. Combine vinegar and water; this solution will help you clean the tile without harming it. This solution makes easy work of mopping your floors. This will remove dirt and grime and make your flooring look beautiful again.

You can use empty 2-liter soda bottles for storage containers. They are quite useful in that you can see through them and will hold up well when protecting sugar and flour or other dry goods. You can put them in the freezer or even in the fridge. They are super convenient and won’t cost you anything.

If you are contracting with someone to do home improvement projects, make it a point to request their references. Think of this as hiring someone to work for a business. You need to do a background check and make sure they are reliable.

If you have cane-bottomed chairs, you can expect to see some sagging as they get older. It is relatively simple to restore form to your caning. Wet a sponge and run it under the caning. Be certain that you only apply warm water. Let it sit overnight to dry. Keep doing this until you completely fix the caning.

An unattractive air conditioner is essential in many places around the U.S. You can safely and effectively camouflage with a wooden trellis or latticework. One other option is to use large, ornamental grass. Remember to leave space for the roots to grow.

Small bathroom changes are great investments. A small budget can still mean a big impact, that looks much more expensive than it actually was. New fixtures, towel bars and artwork can make a huge difference. Paint the walls or even add wallpaper. For a small price, your bathroom can be transformed into something new and fresh.

It is essential that you purchase top quality exterior paint when you paint the outside of your home. If you select a high-quality paint, then you are ensured that your paint is going to last a long time. It may be more expensive, but it will hold up better over time. It’s better to spend the extra money on higher quality paint so you don’t have to go back over it every few years if you get a lower quality one.

You may be able to make an improvement that will reduce your water bill through making plumbing more efficient. Low-flow shower heads, water-saving toilets and tank-less water heaters can be easily purchased and installed. Not only will these new fixtures improve property value by having a more modern appeal, water bills will be a lot less.

Home improvement projects inside the home can disturb the people that live there. A good way to do this is to do it alone. You do not need any more stress added to that you already have.

Do your homework before demolition. It may seem like a great time, smashing into walls. Always check your house for any attached electrical wiring and components. It could wind up costing a lot to get rid of the structure, so always look into it.

When residing, look at different kinds of insulation. Some foams of insulation that you can choose from are permeable house wrap, rigid form insulation, and complete wall systems. Compare the costs to find the best fit for you.

Fix your windows! Replace old windows. Install windows that are glazed two times. They aren’t your cheapest choice, but they are cost-effective in the long run. New windows can also help your home be more secure. If you are not able to get new windows, paint the window sills or frames, or simply change your drapes.

Wood Burning

You should make sure any wood burning stove you are interested in is approved by the EPA. This certification is included with newer model stoves, but not with older ones, so they must be tested. Carbon monoxide is a serious concern whenever you burn wood indoors so check all wood burning stoves for possible leaks.

Weigh your options carefully when you’re furnishing your bedroom, and give due thought to freestanding furniture. Though custom units look terrific, they cannot easily be moved to a new house. Also, it is possible to take free standing items to other rooms, and they can also be sold individually if necessary.

Do not spend more than your budget allows. Setting a budget will help you stay in the price range of homes in your neighborhood and save you money. Create a detailed budget and follow it as you work on your project.

Now that you’ve come to the end of this article, you’re more likely to improve your home without damaging your budget. You can make your home a beautiful place to live in, while still saving a lot of money.