Home improvement can be a bit intimidating if you’ve never taken on a big renovation project before. But there are many DIY home improvement projects that are easier to do than you think. Why pay a contractor when you can save money and experience the rewarding feeling of finishing a home improvement project yourself? In this article, we’ll focus on a very simple home improvement procedure that anyone can do: painting your ceiling.

Getting the Right Tools

To prepare for this task, it’s important to get the right tools. A good roller with an extension handle is essential for making the job easier, allowing you to paint comfortably while standing on the floor instead of on a ladder. If you have textured ceiling, you’ll want to get a thick-nap roller to make sure you reach the spaces between the bumps of the texture. If you have a smooth ceiling, a smooth short-nap roller works best.

Preparing the Room

Start by removing all the furniture from the room (or as much of it as possible) before you start painting. Cover the floors and remaining furniture with newspaper or, if you can, canvas cloth, which works better and is reusable, though a bit expensive. Cover any areas of the wall that you don’t want to paint, i.e. door frames, window frames, etc, with quick-release painter’s tape.

Apply the Primer

Priming the ceiling before applying the actual paint is highly recommended. It’ll make the coat of paint last longer and will ensure that you only have to apply one coat. Use primer with stain-blocker if you can.

Start With a Cut-In Line

After the primer has dried, start by painting a 2 to 3-inch strip of paint along the space where the wall meets the ceiling. This is called the cut-in line, and it will make painting with a roller easier, as it’ll provide you with a more manageable border. Use a brush and a step ladder and start with the corner of the shortest length of ceiling.

Painting the Ceiling

After the cut-in line (and while it’s still wet) take out the roller and start painting. Make sure to roll the roller back and forth in the shallow part of the tray to get rid of excess paint after you’ve dipped it. This will give you an even coverage on the roller. Paint in a zigzag pattern, and then go over it with straight strokes to fill in the gaps and even the paint out.

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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Easy-DIY-Home-Improvement-Tips-For-Beginners---Painting-Your-Ceiling&id=3807806] Easy DIY Home Improvement Tips For Beginners – Painting Your Ceiling

One of the most overlooked places to begin a value boosting improvement is the floors and walls.  There is no single way to shift the look of your property at a very “cheap” price point.

Now, before you get going, put together a market valuation to make sure you don’t overbuild your neighborhood.  Your buddy with the real estate license can do this for you or, alternatively, pull up sales data on Zillow.com.

If you have carpet laid down, whatever type of flooring there is underneath it will determine the best way to proceed.

Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood is expensive, and it scratches easily.  Alas, it is beautiful and always pushes the home value north.  If this is the base below the carpeting, consider yourself lucky.  With some sanding and polishing you can do wonders.  Alternatively, you can install hardwood relatively inexpensively.  The type of wood you get will determine the pricing, with natural hardwoods being one of the most expensive and bamboo or laminates being more affordable.

Carpeting

If you like the soft feel of carpeting, you don’t have to get rid of it.  However, if you want to boost the value it makes sense to update your carpeting and getting rid of any dingy carpet you might have.  Some designers advise sticking to neutral colors (like beige) to leave space for any type of décor.  Personally, I would consult with a knowledgeable real estate agent for the best colors for your given area.

Linoleum

Linoleum is durable, cheap and has an ambience all its own.  Don’t expect to see huge jumps in value by using it, but its sure to be a step up if your current flooring is ragged or outdated.

Ceramic Flooring

Ceramic tiles are the norm in the bathroom and kitchen.  Word to the wise – chipped tiling is a no no when it comes to value.  So replace any and every broken tile. If you’re having a hard time finding the same type of tile, you can either replace all of them or put together a pattern using alternating styles of tile.

Just some ideas to play with.  Until the next time, happy improving!

Garden Bust Adds Decorating Flair

So, I was reading an article by Mary Carol Garrity this morning and she really set my brain ablaze with some new decoration ideas I never considered before.

Get this:

A while back, she was involved with a luncheon organized by Colin Cowie, a designer and party planner.  The challenge was coming up with tasteful table centerpieces… for 60 tables.  The answer?  Garden statues.

What began as a quick-fix showed itself for what it is; a stroke of decorating genius.  I mean, think about it.  The right garden statue is caulk-full of mood.  They give a flair you don’t normally find indoors, so if you can intelligently weave them into your decoration scheme you’re onto something special.

But finding that proper mesh, of course, is the hard part.  Mary does give a few ideas in the article, such as:

1. Use them as table centerpieces.
2. Adorn them in fruits… wines… pumpkins… you name it.
3. Thin, tall birdbaths are winners.
4. Make sure the garden statue isn’t too heavy.  Buckling the table under the weight isn’t a good thing.
5. Accents round out the decoration.  Think candlesticks or urns.
6. Busts and full-figure statues can be fun and are easy to get a hold of.
7. Figurines are versatile enough to sit on pretty much any flat surface.  Don’t limit yourself to the table; you can place them on the kitchen island, countertop, etc.
8. Iron garden urns are great for holding fallen branches and flowers, or even to drape vines around your centerpiece.

Can you see the potential in this approach.  Don’t stop the brain juices at garden statues; there are other items you don”t normally find indoors that will add flair if used tastefully. For instance, using plastic-lined urns as ice holders or appetizer bowls (think chilled shrimp).  You can even brew up ways of using bird houses or landscape lighting indoors – my own mental gears are steady spinning.

But more than anything, the idea shows the most important part of home decoration: creativity.  Just like luxury isn’t gaudiness, you don’t need big bucks to give your home a true statement to make.  Don’t think outside of the box, realize that there is no box to being with!

And Leslie Segrete (of Trading Spaces fame) knows what she’s doing. In a recent article for The Stir website, she outlines a few tips for making your outdoor space something special.  Here’s the basic gist:

Specific areas – Patio, Deck, Backyard or Terrace

“…the easiest way to modernize your outdoor space is to update your furniture. It’s essential to look for items that can withstand the weather. Today’s marketplace features everything from rugs, lighting, fabrics, and decorative accessories all made to be used outdoors.”

About decorating on a budget

“Outdoor lighting is a wonderful way to brighten up your outdoor space so you can enjoy it day and night. Outdoor lighting doesn’t have to cost you a bundle…”

“A fire pit is a fun and comforting focal piece to add to your outdoor living space — and best of all it won’t break the bank. A fire pit can create a central point for a seating area perfect for after sunset conversation and the occasional ghost story.”

“a barefoot and weather-friendly outdoor rug can add a sophisticated yet comfortable look to make your deck or patio more unique. An outdoor rug can also help to create a seating or dining area in an open yard if you don’t have a deck or patio.”

“Something as simple as planting a garden or colorful flowering plants around your patio’s perimeter can create a dramatic effect and serve as a visual boundary from the rest of the yard, creating an intimate space that evokes an actual room.”

“treat yourself to comfortable seating with plush cushions. The best part is that it is actually affordable.”

Final Notes

Personally, I find the ideas about flowering and the fire pit to give you a lot of bang for your buck.  And, like Mz. Segrete says, they are just flat out great for social events.  More charm than a grill, and you never have to invest in propane.

That’s it for today.  This home decorating section is new for us here at Cheap Home Improvement, but expect to see more info on this topic in the future.

So, here’s the skinny. Since most of us use the room to entertain ourselves it makes sense to rearrange things to cater to that desire. First things first, set up a basic storage area for all of those DVDs and video games. You can pick up a cheap entertainment center from Wal-Mart or get a DIY package from Lowes. The best ones let you tuck everything away either above or below the T.V. stand.

For those big spenders among us with a wall-mounted flat screen, look into the very cool frames they’ve been coming out with recently. It really adds some character to the room and might actually get some attention when the baseball game isn’t on.

In this case a T.V. stand/entertainment center won’t make much sense so you can throw a few bucks into a DVD rack for convenience. I find the spiral rack particularly sleek, but to each is own. You may even consider mounting a shelf, but this eats up space you may not want to sacrifice.

Now That the T.V. is Out of the Way…

Hanging paintings or photographs is cliche but they’re cool. They make the room feel like home and, if the walls are eggshell, they add much needed color to the area. You may even consider hanging a cool mirror or mounting candle scones for extra style points.

Your furniture also has something to say in the grand scheme of things. IKEA is heaven for this if you’re into modernist designs like I am. Keep the theme constant between the furniture and the blinds BUT don’t fall into a boring state of mind here. Unique color schemes are your friend here.

Speaking of Color Schemes

Pull out the paint brush and get busy. I like to look through the home decorating magazines like Better Homes and Gardens for ideas that push the boundaries. Don’t go too crazy but crazy enough. Think Salvatore Dali on meds and you’ll be in the right frame of mind here.

Stains Will Happen – Expect Them and Prepare

It’s inevitable. Trust me on this. So don’t worry about plastic-ing the furniture but white carpeting is a bad idea. Ditto for the grizzly bear throw rug, unless your socializing days are over… or if you hang out with the “reserved”(read: boring) type of crowd.

You can pick up sprays that make your furniture more stain resistant. My preference is to go with furniture that naturally hides the stains and to spend the money on party platters. But that might just be me. (Life is to be lived, folks!)

Goodies for the Floor

Bean bags are great too. Throws and afgans fit into the same category here. They’re great for when you have a full house. They are colorful to add character to the living room. Plus they are great if your old lady gets cold feet and likes to snuggle them somewhere. All big wins in my book.

Here’s another idea: set up a mini-library in the family room. Books are natural conversation starters and make you look more intelligent, even if you’ve never opened the cover. You can get a similar response by putting out some interesting reads on the coffee table… right next to the notebook, felt-tip pen and fruit bowl.

For the in-front-of-T.V. eaters like me, invest in a handful of food trays. They come in all kinds of designs, from floral patterns to football teams. Find the happy medium between trays you like and what the misses will accept. Don’t feel bad if “happy medium” means you end up with only floral patterned trays… not that I have any experience with that. Just consider yourself lucky that the family room hasn’t been turned into a no-food zone, yeah?

These are just a few ideas that came to mind. Stay tuned in, I’ll have more to share in the future. I’m also considering putting up some guest posts in the near future. In the mean time, If you have some personal decorating tips you want to share drop them in the comments.

Some good ole’ paint

Cheap and effective…. And so obvious that it is often overlooked. Do yourself a favor and leave the overlooking to those that don’t want to breathe new life into their living room. Something a simple as a new color scheme will do wonders. Don’t be afraid to push the boundaries; get creative and be daring when choosing color schemes. Make a statement!

I’ve even seen homes with colors that alternate from wall to wall. Think beige/maroon. Or burgundy/orange peel. You get the idea. This is your abode; feel free to make it a real head turner.

While you’re at it, pull out the caulking and fill in those pesky cracks and nail holes. A smooth wall, like a smooth complexion, goes a long way. Just don’t forget to sand it down before applying the base paint.

Another painting pointer that often goes overlooked; always, always, ALWAYS use masking when your painting. There is nothing worse than getting “hiccup marks” on the trim… or that shiny hardwood flooring.

Brighten up – Light Fixtures, Anybody?

Here’s a rule of thumb: unless we’re talking about a secret alcove or the basement NO room in your house should be dark. Putting in new light fixtures eliminate the shadows and the depressing feeling they bring in tow. Plus, you can get really creative when choosing a light fixture to add some character.

Try a mix of ambient lighting, task lighting and accent lighting. A smorgasbord of lighting styles goes a long way to giving new energy to the space. Start off choosing an ambient lighting fixture to “fill out” the room. Keep some congruence in your fixture choices; otherwise the room will subconsciously feel messy no matter how neat it is.

Bring in some life

I’m talking fruit bowls, fruit vases, small plants, etc. Not only do they keep the air clean, they add a feeling of vitality to the space. Plus the aroma is delectable. You can even pick your own flowers (if you’re outside the city) to keep your prices rock-bottom.

An added bonus is the fact that you can ALWAYS add some variety. New flowers, new vases, new fruits, new colors, new feeling as often as you want. Every day will feel new and energized; don’t be surprised if you want to spend more and more time in the family room!

You still may have the space to make a kid’s playroom; getting them out of your hair and giving you the living room back.

In this article, we’ll explore a handful of attic renovation ideas that may work for you.  The only limit to what’s possible is your creativity, budget specifications and available space.

So, let’s get started…

About inspection

Before you layout any cash, you should seriously consider getting a home inspector to come in and give the attic a look.  Things like rot or mold in the attic can quickly turn a renovation into a nightmare.  For a few hundred dollars, you can save yourself the heartache.

You may also need an electrician to give a look to the electrical system.  Older houses are notorious for not having the power requirements necessary to power an addition (such as an attic renovation).  Check up on this before you start building; there’s nothing worse than finding out you have to cough up $XX,XXX more before you can even use your new attic.

To pass final permitting inspection, you may need a secondary egress (exit).  Check the requirements for your locality; the permitting requirements always vary.

Also, keep in mind an area isn’t considered living area unless it’s insulated.  If you plan on boosting your living area (for appraisal purposes) you’ll want to insulate making sure not to stifle natural circulation.

Some things you may want to include

Bathrooms are usually a good addition, assuming an existing bathroom is located on the floor below the attic.  Running pipe can get very expensive fast, if there isn’t existing infrastructure already in place.

Skylights are a fast way to let natural light bring the attic to life.  They also can help with ventilation, which is a common stumbling block for attic and basement remodeling projects.  For an additional investment, dormers accomplish the same thing with the added benefit of being a secondary egress.

Hardwood flooring or carpet will make your attic feel like an extension of the home… not a cold, isolated dungeon. I prefer carpet to add comfort, but build to your taste.  Just remember to bolt down hardwood if you’re using it; nothing is as much of a drag as squeaky floors.

Cool things you can build up there

Kids Playroom –

I like these for attics with less head clearance than a full grown adult needs.  Throw up some walls, add an egress (if needed), put in hardwood flooring (to avoid stains to carpet) and let the kids run wild.  Move all of the toys up here, like that new drum set, and watch the noise level drop down to pre-pregnancy days.

Home Office –

More of us are working from home.  That means more of us are finding out how hard it is to work when the phone is ringing, the dog is barking, the bed needs to be made and the T.V. is right there.  Having a designated office is an easy way to boost productivity… and a renovated attic is the perfect location.  Don’t forget the natural light; a skylight or dormer is the way to go here.

Bedroom –

You can set up a guest or primary bedroom without much difficulty.  Use light and “sleepy” colors (think blues) and keep a dehumidifier up there.

Adult Getaway –

Drop in a pool table and a T.V. and you have your own little oasis away from the hustle and bustle downstairs.  Throw in a minibar and a dart board and you may never want to leave.

There you have it; a handful of attic remodeling ideas.  Do you have any ideas or tips for renovations? Feel free to share them in the comments below.

Your upstairs real estate doesn’t have to be the dark and scary section of your home, used only when the kids play hide and seek.  With a bit of elbow grease, you can give your attic a contemporary and modernistic feel. Let’s take it from the top:

The biggest hurdle you’re going to face are low ceilings due to the rafters that frame the top of the house.  Unless you have, say, a Dutch layout, this is unavoidable… but it doesn’t have to hamstring you.  There are still specific design principles and remodeling strategies you can use to maximize the headroom you do have.

First, consider adding in shelves or nooks to be used as storage.  This will get the junk off the floor and out of the way.  The BEST way to maximize your space is to convert the trusses into storage space.  The truss is the generally unused area between the interior wall framing and the end of the rafters.

Our next concern is where to lay out our furniture.  This isn’t rocket science, but the take time to consider what space would generally be unusable (due to head clearance) and plan accordingly.  For instance, it makes sense to put dressers and the head of the bed in the lowest section of the ceiling.  Likewise, any sitting furniture (coaches, love seats, etc.) can be positioned closer to low lying areas than, say, a pool table.

After considering furniture layout, you might want to install a dormer or two.  Installing a dormer requires ripping the roof off, adding some head area and possibly installing a skylight.  Now, to be certain, these are not cheap things to install.  But the touch of warm light and extra useable area they add can justify the expense.

ON the topic of skylights, I personally favor adding as many as possible.  Natural light is very important in a section like the attic, and skylights aren’t incredibly expensive to install.  They’re also fun to have on starry nights if you’re area isn’t blotted out with smog.  Beyond that, skylights tend to give the illusion of more space than there is; usually a good thing given the generally small area we have as an attic.

You might also consider adding good, old fashion windows.  They help with air circulation, and make the attic feel like and actual room.

With all this natural light we’re adding to our attic, you should give thought to the color scheme of the walls. Certain colors (like white) reflect light while others (darker colors) absorb them.  Ditto for the flooring; carpet absorbs while hardwood flooring reflects.  Reflection is a good thing since it gives a more open feel to the area… but absorption can be good if you want the tone of the attic to be more “relaxed”.

One final note: Don’t forget about adding insulation when putting in the walls. If you want the attic included as part of the livable area when you get re-appraised, they only include insulated areas.  Something to keep in mind.

We’ll be digging into attic renovations deeper in the future; I just wanted to give you a little taste of the frame of mind that goes behind a successful remodel in the land above the living room.  If you have specific topics you want covered in future posts, drop them in the comments below.