by Paul Sanders
Great satisfaction comes from beautifying and customizing your home to your specific style and taste. Some of your home improvement dreams may include major remodeling and alterations; however, small changes to certain features of your home can improve the look and feel of an entire room. You can find plenty of guides for home improvement projects. And you can do many of those home improvement projects yourself, without hiring a contractor for a big home renovation. Here are the top five DIY home improvement projects that you can start planning for right now.
Installing tile: Adding tile changes the texture of any surface. You can lay tiles individually or in sheets, depending on your custom design. And you'll have plenty of choices in tile materials, textures and colors to match your existing fixtures. All you need for this home improvement project is mortar, grout, a notched trowel and your chosen tile.
Refinishing your kitchen cabinets: Home improvement doesn't always mean buying brand new. Often, you may simply want to refresh what you have. Refinishing kitchen cabinets can entirely change the look of your kitchen, without a major renovation. With a little sanding, new wood stain and varnish, you can renew those old cabinets. Add new cabinet hardware, and it's like having a whole new kitchen.
Installing a new sink: Some home remodeling is functional as well as cosmetic. You can swap out those old sinks in the bathroom and kitchen yourself. If your home improvement project includes replacing the countertop or vanity as well, be kind to your back and have someone help with the heavy lifting. Changing sinks requires disconnecting the water supply, drain pipes and garbage disposal, so you'll need some basic tools for this home improvement project.
Changing sink and shower fixtures: Installing new faucets and other fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom can significantly update those rooms. Replace those scratched and outdated fixtures with oiled bronze, copper or brushed nickel faucets and fixtures. These are quick home improvement projects that you can do with basic tools in less than an hour.
Adding storage: Organization and storage can add peace of mind to any home. Turn your basement or garage into a haven of coordination and efficiency by adding storage cabinets, shelving and pegboard. Having a place for everything will make the rest of your home improvement projects easier to plan and organize.
Before starting any home improvement project, start with a clear plan and follow all safety instructions for the tools you'll be using.
