Cheap Home Improvement Projects

A wooden lattice can add a decorative effect to your house while also hiding a defect, flaw or unsightly element.

You don't have to dip deep into your savings account to make home improvements that make a difference. Small, affordable home improvement projects exist all around you. You just have to know where to look and decide which of these projects are equitable to your skill level. Some home improvement projects will update and improve the look and style of your house, while others will benefit in ways such as conserving energy and saving money.

Caulking

Caulking around your windows and doors is a very inexpensive home improvement project that pays off for years. Air and water filtration on the outside of the house can be stopped just by applying a few beads of silicone caulking to the exterior seams around all your windows and doors.

Wooden Lattice

If the exterior of your home is flawed by an unsightly blemish, you can hide that defect in an artistically satisfying way that costs very little. You can make building a wooden lattice a DIY project or spend a little more to buy a preassembled version. A small lattice screen can be used to hide from view things like your garbage can, the exterior unit of your central air conditioning system or a paint job that is cracking on the eastern or western side of the house due to heavy sunlight.

Unsticking a Cabinet Door

Get that sticky cabinet drawer to glide smoothly open by using powdered chalk to locate the exact location of the sticking problem. Coat the edge of a cabinet door that sticks with colored chalk and close the door. When you reopen the door, the areas on the edge where the chalk has rubbed off indicate where you need to improve the situation. Use a simple block plane on those chalk spots to smooth down the wood so that it no longer sticks.

Finishing Trimwork

Finishing trimwork around the house can provide a subtle improvement of your home that makes it look more elegant and expensive. A draw-scraper can be used to remove layers of old paint. Sanding and smoothing the wood helps to remove paint that has become embedded. Once you've got the wood molding clean, apply paint, seal or stain to bring out the wood grain.

Painting a Single Wall

An affordable way to use paint to improve your home is by making a dramatic statement inside a room by painting just one wall. A vibrant and bold color that would be too overpowering if used to paint the entire room can create a dynamic design when used to paint just one wall. Accent the boldness of the richly painted wall by painting window and door trim in the same color.

References

• LoanShoppers: Home Remodeling Tips: Pick Renovations and Improvements That Pay Off
• "No-Fear Home Improvement"; Fran J. Donegan, Ed.; 2007
• "50 Quick Home Improvements"; Larry Erickson, Ed.; 1998