A well-manicured lawn, flowers, trees and shrubs are the hallmarks of a home’s curb appeal. Plantings like daylily and hydrangea add color, and plants such as eugenia ceapa and hollyhock create texture to the landscape. Even a single, attractive tree can boost a home’s value and improve its overall appearance.
When it comes to attracting potential buyers, curb appeal is a top priority for homeowners and real estate agents alike. Buyers are apt to avoid a house that looks neglected or out of place, even if its interiors are beautiful. That’s why, if you’re considering selling your house in the future, it’s crucial to invest in a few curb appeal upgrades now, and keep up with maintenance as needed.
Curb appeal isn’t only about making your home more attractive to the eye; it’s also about enhancing the home’s function and safety. Consider upgrading your front door with a new lockset and fresh paint, for example. Oiled-bronze finishes tend to suit traditional homes, while brushed nickel is a good choice for modern ones.
For a quick, budget-friendly curb appeal makeover, look to your garden. An arbor or trellis can give shape to your front yard and frame visual points of interest, such as windows or the entryway. And window boxes can offer a bright pop of color that’s sure to catch the eye. If you’re planning to take on a bigger, more involved landscaping project, it might be helpful to consult with a local landscaper. A professional can provide advice on the best types of trees, shrubs and flowers to include in your garden, and can recommend ways to integrate these plantings into your property’s existing architecture.
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For over 25 years, a & j home improvements has been the most preferred home remodeling and renovation contractor in Florence, Tuscumbia, Sheffield and Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Their skilled craftsmen can transform your home into the dream you’ve always wanted. Among the services they provide are sun room enclosure additions, kitchen remodels, bathrooms and all phases of tiling (floors, foyers, back splashes). They also specialize in wood framing projects and interior painting. Their goal is to make sure the job is done right and exceeds your expectations. They are experts in their field and use creative ideas to give your home a fresh look.
Easy home diy upgrades are a great way to make a big impact on your space. They can improve the look of a room and also offer a sense of accomplishment. Whether you’re looking for an affordable option, such as installing crown molding, or something more elaborate, like turning a closet into a home office, these projects are quick and easy to complete at home.
Why it’s easy:
Replacing carpet with hardwood floors is an upgrade that can last a lifetime and is surprisingly simple for most homeowners to tackle. It’s one of the easiest DIY projects that can be done in a weekend or two, with little to no plumbing skills required!
Home improvement is a great way to add value to your house and improve long-term livability. If you are thinking about selling your house, a home renovation can increase the resale value and possibly help you get a higher price.
However, homeowners should be wary of over-improving their home. Not all improvements can increase the resale value of the property, and some could even detract from it. For example, adding a luxury master suite may make the house more appealing to some buyers, but it may not appeal to most. It is also important to ensure that the improvements are in line with the rest of the neighborhood.
Homeowners should be careful when choosing a contractor for a home improvement project. It is recommended that they look for a licensed and insured company with professional credentials. Homeowners are also advised to ask for quotes from several companies and check their business references before deciding on one. A good way to find a reputable company is through an online aggregator, which acts as a middleman between contractors and homeowners. However, it is always best to use a local company, as they are likely to have more experience and provide better service. Moreover, they are more familiar with the local regulations and will be able to provide more accurate estimates. Moreover, they will be able to respond quickly in the event of any problems that might arise during the project.
Many homeowners are aware that upgrading their home can help increase its value, but a full renovation can be a big undertaking. Luckily, experts have found that many of the most popular do-it-yourself home upgrades don’t require a major investment or a lot of time. Instead, these small home upgrades can make your space more attractive and functional until you’re ready to take on a bigger project.
Paint
A fresh coat of paint is one of the most cost-effective and easiest ways to upgrade a room. A neutral color like white is widely accepted as a classic and will instantly transform a room. It’s also a top choice among home buyers, according to HomeLight research.
Hardware
Removing builder-basic hardware and replacing it with more stylish options is a relatively inexpensive way to improve your home’s look. Upgrade door knobs, drawer pulls, light switches and more for a high impact, low effort update.
Storage
An ample amount of storage is a top home feature among shoppers, with pantries emerging as a particular favorite, according to HomeLight data. Add a pantry to your kitchen or even a simple shelf in an empty corner of a bedroom for a smart, functional home upgrade.
Air Quality
Adding a humidifier to your living spaces is a cheap, easy-to-do way to improve a home’s ambiance and comfort. Plus, it can reduce allergens, such as dust, smoke, mold and pollen, in the air. This Dreo humidifier is a particularly attractive option because it looks like a piece of art and is surprisingly affordable.
Home renovations can be a fun and rewarding experience, especially when you are able to accomplish the project yourself. However, sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start, or which projects will have the most impact on your home’s aesthetic.
Whether it’s for functional reasons or simply to add a pop of color, painting a room can be one of the easiest and most affordable DIY home improvement projects. You can even create a feature wall and use a unique design to make your space stand out.
Another easy diy home renovation that can have a big impact is installing hardwood floors. Not only are they beautiful and long-lasting, but they can also help improve your home’s air quality. You can even save money by installing the flooring yourself.
Replacing carpet with wood or tile can provide a more classic look in your home while also saving you time and energy from vacuuming and mopping. If you don’t have the budget to install new flooring, consider a laminate that looks like wood that can be installed over existing carpet.
Creating a breakfast bar is a simple diy home improvement that can be a great way to add additional space for food prep and entertaining. It’s also an opportunity to add a touch of personality with contrasting colors or vintage accents.
Adding crown molding to your walls and ceilings is another easy diy home improvement that can add a touch of luxury while elevating the look of your home. It’s a relatively low-cost project that can be done in just a day or two.
R and R Home Improvement: R & R stands for “remove and replace,” which describes a simple renovation project that involves replacing cabinetry, fixtures and/or appliances without making any structural or mechanical changes. This type of work is a good way to refresh a room without spending a lot of money or time.
While some analysts expect a decline in R&R activity, early signs point to resiliency in this market. For example, homeowner magazines subscriptions are at record levels on Readly and the search terms for “home improvement” and “DIY” have reached peaks on Google (define as highest searches over the past year).
Lowe’s has a unique opportunity to meet homeowners where they need them by providing a source of inspiration and helping them plan projects. This includes creating a robust upstream content strategy to connect with consumers as they are defining their needs and researching options. It also means focusing on the right mix of products to make sure the store is properly stocked for R&R activities.
Homeowners over age 50 often face unique challenges when it comes to repairing and maintaining their homes. For those facing these issues, home improvement assistance is available to help them make the necessary repairs while remaining in their homes safely and comfortably.
Various types of home improvement assistance are available for seniors, including grants and loans with favorable terms. Grant programs such as the USDA Single Family Housing Repair grant and FHA Limited 203(k) program provide funding to address critical problems, such as removing health and safety hazards or installing measures to ensure accessibility.
Other programs offer funding to cover energy efficiency upgrades and reduce radon levels, as well as help with other renovations that create a more comfortable living environment for senior homeowners. For example, a renovation that increases insulation levels and adds energy-efficient appliances can improve comfort, while also saving on heating costs and potentially decreasing utility bills.
Many state and local agencies administer home improvement assistance for senior citizens, such as the Weatherization Assistance Program and the VA Specially Adapted Housing grant. These programs focus on helping those with limited incomes, with requirements varying by location and county.
For assistance, it’s recommended that seniors contact their area agency on aging or community development departments to learn about the specific programs in their area. Nonprofit organizations, such as Rebuilding Together and Habitat for Humanity, may also be able to refer them to additional resources in their area.
Home improvement contractors are looking for ways to get more referrals from current clients and generate new leads. Referral sites are a great way to showcase your contracting business and capture client reviews that help you convert more clients. These are also a great opportunity to establish partnerships with local home improvement retailers, like hardware stores or building supply companies, and include your company’s information on their website and on customer purchase receipts.
Contractors can be listed on a variety of different home services review and referral sites, including Google My Business, Facebook, Angi, Thumbtack, and HomeAdvisor. Many of these sites charge a fee to contractors, though some have free profiles. It is important to research the various options and look for a site that has a thorough company screening process, a high number of quality reviews, and provides contact information for contractors.
Most of these home service review sites are akin to the Yellow Pages in that customers can search for contractors in their area and view their reviews. Some have a ranking system that allows contractors to pay a premium to be placed higher in searches. It is also important to verify that the home services contractors on the site are licensed and insured.
Be aware that referral services can be risky, particularly for remodeling projects that require design and permitting. Frequently unlicensed people will bid on these types of jobs and will not pull permits, which puts the homeowner at significant financial risk. This can lead to hefty fines from local governments.
After his stint on i>Home Improvement/i> ended in 1999, Tim Allen embarked on a stand-up comedy career and went on to star as the sleigh bell-ringing Santa Claus in i>The Santa Clause/i>. He’s back in sitcom mode now, starring as Mike Nelson on i>Last Man Standing/i>, which is airing Thursdays at 9:30 PM ET on Fox. Sadly, Patricia Richardson, who played his on-screen better half Jill for eight seasons, is calling BS on rumors of a Home Improvement revival, saying she has no interest in reprising her Emmy-nominated role.
While Home Improvement was a hit, it wasn’t without its fair share of controversy. It was criticized for its use of stereotypes and the characterization of women as being completely self-centered, but there were some redeeming moments. For instance, the show’s recurring gag of Jill always dropping her wedding ring down a heating vent – right after he chastises her for being careless with it – was a great way to illustrate that women and men are different, and it’s important to have respect and understanding for one another.
The show’s characters also exhibited some problems that aren’t uncommon in society, like having an unhealthy obsession with power tools and not knowing how to handle them properly. Nostalgia Central points out that it was often joked about on the show that cohost Al Borland was far more knowledgeable than Taylor on various tool-related topics, and he provided more practical, usable advice than Tim.