If you've lived in your home for more than, oh, half an hour or so, you've probably found something you'd like to change. Fortunately changing your home won't cost you as much as you'd think. Finishing a fixer-upper can be fun; accomplishing something that turns the house you live in into your home is a memory worth making.
This home improvement buying guide summarizes a few of the items available at Overstock.com to help you make your house your home.
As in many things, a good plan makes success possible. Overstock.com's entertainment store has loads of books with plans, ideas, helps and hints. Overstock.com also offers numerous home improvement videos.
Windows
Windows are a very visible part of your home image. The classic window casements, ornately handcrafted, can be expensive for most homeowners, but modern window boxes have energy saving features that are more than money savers. Aluminum windows are now more attractive than ever before as well as being inexpensive and easy to maintain. And with double pane window glass, they can save you money. If you decide to replace windows, we recommend you replace them all. If every window on the house isn't an option right now, do the windows on one side of the house at a time.
If you live in an area where crime is a concern, window guards may be a good investment. Window guards may also get you a discount on homeowners insurance, but peace of mind is the window guards' greatest value. Stop burglars with secure windows and doors; look for windows with updated security features.
Doors
Doors are the first details your guests see when they come to visit. Choose a door that introduces the style of the rest of the house while still fulfilling its primary function--keeping the cat in and the bad guys out.
Exterior doors can be wood, vinyl, steel or a combination. Wood exterior doors are the classic choice; they are sturdier than vinyl and look better than steel. Solid wood doors are better for security but pricier and heavier than hollow-core. An entry door may be single or double hung, and may or may not come with a storm door. Garage doors may have a single or several panels. Many garage door accessories exist to take the guesswork out of parking your cars in the garage.
Door knobs may be door levers or door handles. Cast brass door knobs, Victorian door knobs and ceramic door knobs are among the most decorative door knobs; however, simple nickel door knobs, chrome door knobs, stainless steel and other metals are not going out of style anytime soon.
Home keyless entry systems are becoming very popular. This means no traditional keys to be lost or stolen. Keyless door locks can use smart cards, like those in hotels, or be a true keyless lock which uses a key pad or fingerprint recognition system. Some are integrated into the door knob, while some are separate. Regardless of which style keyless entry you choose, sooner or later you will probably figure out some way to lock yourself out, so always have a backup plan.
Deadbolts simply have a bigger, longer throw than a doorknob and extend into the door frame. If you don't have a key, a deadbolted door won't open easily or quietly.
Peepholes may seem a little film noir, but it's always better to open the door after you figure out who is on the other side. Video cameras are the 21st Century peephole (especially when you catch your kids saying something you can embarrass them with at a later date!).
No matter what you choose, new exterior doors--with the right accessories--from Overstock.com, can be your best home defense short of a pet tiger.
Among the easiest home improvements are wall coverings, which include the 3-P's: paint, paper and paneling. Unless you're the type that thinks raw drywall is a legitimate décor option, you'll have to choose one of them.
Paint is the simplest. Choosing just the right color is probably the most difficult part. First, you must prepare the wall: spackle and sand to fill in nicks, dents and scratches (this isn't difficult, just time consuming); clear the room; tape the walls then spread the tarps and take special care when you get to corners. Two or three coats, with a light sanding between each, make for the smoothest, most professional finish.
Wallpaper is more complex. After choosing the right pattern, you have to prep the wall (like painting), lay out the paper strips, apply adhesive (or activate the adhesive on the paper), then carefully place each piece so the patterns line up, remove the air and let dry. You can hire a professional who'll do it more quickly and more accurately than you, but wallpaper is definitely a do-it-yourself project for anyone willing to move slowly and carefully enough to get it right. If you don't want to wallpaper the entire wall, wall borders are a great alternative. These accents really stand out against a solid colored wall.
Wall paneling is the big time. It is the most expensive option but will look the best and probably require the least maintenance. You can place wall panels directly over studs, skipping the whole drywall experience (which is nice), or you can retrofit wall panel on top of drywall. With plan B, there's a catch; the wall has to be straight and plumb or the wall panels will accentuate every flaw, making them more noticeable. Furring and shims are thin wood strips and wedges are thin angled blocks used to create a flat plane onto which the wall paneling is nailed or glued. It isn't that tough; it just takes more time and care than spackling. Once the wall is prepared, wall panels go on much like drywall. Wall paneling with contrasting trim can be stunning.
Regardless of the options you choose, do your wall covering right and you will have something to show off for years to come, including bragging about your savings from Overstock.com.
Flooring depends a lot on what you'll be putting on your floors. If you are in the barefoot crowd, carpet or area rugs will keep feet warm on cold mornings. For kitchens and bathrooms, easy clean vinyl flooring or linoleum are great choices. For entryways, living rooms or other formal spaces, tile flooring brings elegance and Old World sophistication. For more information, check out Overstock.com's area rugs buying guide.
Hardwood flooring is always among the most desirable but is also among the most expensive. Laminate flooring has become a popular alternative to hardwood, noted for its ease of installation, durability and appearance; the best laminates use actual hardwood surfaces, making them impossible to distinguish from true hardwood floors without close examination.
The use of more exotic woods, like cork flooring and bamboo flooring, are becoming more widespread. Though the price can be high, the effect seems well worth the investment. For the most heavily trafficked areas, especially doorways, don't forget a floor mat.
Sinks
The choice of sinks revolves around two factors: construction and configuration.
Among many home owners; porcelain or stainless kitchen sinks are traditional favorites. For kitchens, composite kitchen sinks, aluminum, brass and acrylic kitchen sinks are gaining in popularity. For bathroom sinks, style is a big deal, and vessel sinks make an unforgettable statement.
The configuration of the sink is another consideration. Do you need a single or double kitchen sink? Prefer a flush-mount or undermount kitchen sink? Do you cook in a 12-quart stockpot or have other activities that need deep kitchen sinks? Remember that sinks see a lot of abuse; for a heavily used sink, you'll want something durable.
As a general rule, kitchen sinks lean toward the more practical choices while, for bathroom sinks, people like to show off their home décor style.
Faucets
Kitchen faucets can focus on style while remaining functional. Faucets with long necks allow for water to fill large pots and pans more easily. This is why most people look for practicality in kitchen faucets. However, they want to have fun with their bathroom faucets. Ask yourself: What look or style do I really want for my bathroom or kitchen? It is more than just a water tap, faucets are sculpture. A bronze kitchen faucet or sleek bathroom faucet gives your home a feel of luxury. Additional information can be found in the Overstock.com faucet buying guide.
Showers
Showers are one of the most varied of home improvements. They can be a simple curtain lining the tub, a one piece kit installation or the full treatment including tile, glass, shower heads, heat lamp and other luxuries. Shower kits are great because they have everything you need in one box. Just bring it home and set it up! (Okay, not quite that easy.) The downside is not necessarily getting what you want. A custom shower is another matter. You will spend more money but you will also get exactly what you want.
You can also refit your existing shower. Leave the basic shower structure intact and make a few smaller changes such as a new shower head, shower faucets or a shower conversion kit.
Tubs
A shower is quicker, more convenient and uses less water, but there is something about a long, hot soak in the bath tub that comes as close to heaven as most people ever get. From Rome to Japan, and plenty of places in between, public baths were not always just for cleanliness; they were also for business and socializing.
Although your tub will probably not be a public gathering place, Overstock.com will definitely save you some money on a home tub. That bathtub can be a simple soaking tub, or it could be something more invigorating. Jetted tubs, also called whirlpool bath tubs, use air jets to massage every inch of you with tiny caressing bubbles.
Like sinks, one must also consider construction and configuration. Bath tubs come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Did you know that President William H. Taft (aka "Big Bill") installed a 7-foot 4-inch bath tub in the White House to fit his 6-foot, 330-pound self? Better choices for today's average homeowner would be Jacuzzi hot tubs or clawfoot bathtubs. Fiberglass and acrylics may be the modern thing, but porcelain and cast iron are not going out of style any time soon.
Toilets
Toilets are wonderful--far better than a trip to the outhouse on a cold winter night; however, they are still not a subject that stimulates any excitement in most people. Fortunately, the one piece toilet has made the inevitable change-out that much simpler. Decorative toilets seats have made the bathroom a bit more fun; novelty toilet seats have, no doubt, sparked a fair number of conversations; fun toilets seats, such as the foam padded variety, do make for a more enjoyable experience. For the truly mischievous (or truly madcap, who can tell) a unique toilet seat, in the form of the fishing lure toilet seat, shell toilet seat or clear toilet seat (think about that one for a second) will have your friends and relatives talking about you for years to come. (They may not visit for years to come, but they will be talking about you!)
Saunas, Spas & Hot Tubs
A home sauna or home spa was once the exclusive domain of addresses ending in "90210." Today, you can build your own sauna from a kit or from scratch, just like a shower. Whether you prefer the dry heat of a Scandinavian-style home sauna or the fog of a Roman-style steam room, this will be a major investment, but with Overstock.com's clearance sale prices you can still save on even this luxury!
Generally, a spa set, sauna room or Jacuzzi tub isn't portable; if you think you'll be moving soon, wait until you get to the new house. These are an investment in serious time, effort and money and you'll want to enjoy them. However, that wouldn't just be an investment in fun (though a hot tub is a great party game!). Saunas, spas and hot tubs are recognized as practical, effective therapies for a wide range of ailments from sore muscles to arthritis.
The part of the home improvement plan that doesn't involve the house is the landscaping. Yard care can be as simple as buying garden hoses and sprinklers or mowers and trimmers to keep the grass green and manicured. It can also be a nearly fulltime hobby, in which case, you'll need a tool shed, and probably a greenhouse. Garden tillers are a must for preparing the soil and there are garden tools for every task. Wheelbarrows are very handy for moving dirt around (also for giving rides to small children and animals).
The type and amount of garden equipment you'll need depends on the size of your yard and how much work it needs. Fortunately, Overstock.com has plenty of yard care accessories that allow you to keep a little green in your wallet while getting more green on the lawn.
Sooner or later you will have to get up on the roof or reach the top shelf or paint the ceiling, and for that you will need ladders. For the outside, extension ladders will get you on and off the roof. For the inside, step ladders or step stools get at that top shelf easily. Some folding ladders do both and can be conveniently stored in the garage, pantry or workshop. The new articulating ladders, which can work like telescoping ladders or as scaffolding, will be invaluable when remodeling or renovating.
Metal ladders are the most common, but if you expect to work near power lines regularly, a non-conductive wood or fiberglass ladder should be your choice. If you're planning a lot of painting or repairs, ladder accessories, like step extensions and tool buckets, can save you a lot of hassle.
The traditional three-legged stools are still going strong, but more modern designs, such as chairs that fold into stools or step ladders, are great. You should have at least one or two of each somewhere in the house. Small fire escape folding ladders in each upper story room could turn out to be well beyond handy, and they could be literal lifesavers!
Work gloves are probably the most common safety gear homes have on hand, so to speak. Work gloves are great protective gear for almost any home improvement project. However, safety goes far beyond fingers and thumbs. Whenever using power, tools safety glasses and ear plugs are a must. When working in the garden or tiling a floor, knee pads make the job more comfortable. Among the most neglected of safety gear is the locked door. Many styles of child-safety locks are available; they're great for keeping small, curious eyes and hands away from potentially dangerous situations.
Licensed Contractor: An individual or company certified (usually by the state) as qualified to perform home improvement (building, remodeling or repair) services; includes carpenters, electricians, plumbers, masons and others. City or county building codes determine which services must be performed by licensed contractors and which can be do-it-yourself.
Permits & inspections: Local codes also determine what permits must be obtained prior to construction or remodeling and what inspections must be passed prior to occupancy or use. Failure to apply for and receive permits or pass inspections can be costly--if the inspector's in a good mood, you may get off with a fine; if he's in a bad mood, he can require complete demolition of the offending structures or systems (even if they meet code!).
Sweat equity: Equity is the difference between the value of a home and the debt (mortgage) owed. When building or remodeling a home, prospective home owners can contract with the builder and finance company to do some of the work themselves--painting or landscaping, for example. The money not borrowed becomes equity earned "by the sweat of your brow."
Can I really do it myself?
Of course. Almost every type of home improvement project has been done by an amateur with stunning results. Pros are faster because they have more practice. If you commit yourself to taking the time and following the instructions, there's no reason you can't do most things to near-professional quality.
Will I really save money?
You can save a lot of money not paying a contractor, but you'll spend a lot of your own time. What is your time worth in real dollars per hour? Will you spend more in time than you'd save in pay? Some of us are very handy with tools, some of us are not, but, if the numbers crunch correctly, the sense of accomplishment can be worth it!
What can't I do?
If the city requires a licensed plumber, electrician or other professional, you may need to have one named on the permit before work can commence; check with city hall.
Sweat equity is a great way to enhance your residential investment. Many organizations host do-it-yourself home improvement seminars. Between these free classes and the money you save buying at Overstock.com, your home improvement can become quite an adventure.
If you really want to do-it-yourself right, watch Tim "the Tool Man" Taylor and Al "Flannel Happy" Borland; then never do it Tim's way (unless you really want a table glued to your head!). If you're just in it for the laughs, check out Overstock.com's entertainment store for great deals on the Emmy-award winning sitcom Home Improvement.