You’ve settled into your new home and are ready to add your personal touch with a few improvements. Where to start?

Begin small, with a do-it-yourself project that can be easily adapted to your skill level, budget and desired outcome. DIY projects are typically more cost-effective than hiring someone to do the work, and they offer an added sense of ownership and pride in your home.

Here are a few tasks that are relatively inexpensive but will deliver a bang for your buck:

A cleaned and stained deck looks like new. photo/brandpoint.com

Add crown molding or update casing and trim. The addition of crown molding to the top of interior walls is a subtle change with a big impact. Likewise, adding casing (the trim around doors and windows) can also transform a space. The replacement of dated crown molding, casing or trim can make a room look newly updated. Go one step further with a fresh coat of paint on the walls, and you’ll practically have a new room.

Get new doors. Replace hollow-core bedroom, bathroom and closet doors with wood alternatives — and don’t limit yourself to traditionally styled options. From specialty woods to glass panels, there are plenty of choices.

Clean and refinish a wood deck. As long as the wood is in good shape, all you need is deck cleaner and wood stain to make a deck look like new. You can buy deck cleaner and wood stains at most local hardware or paint stores.

Update your closets. Add built-in shelving or simply streamline clothes hangers for an organizational boost you’ll thank yourself for every day. You can further upgrade your closet by lining it with cedar: Natural cedar looks good, smells great and keeps moths and mildew away. It’s a classic and high-end upgrade that’s not terribly expensive or time intensive.

The more DIY projects you complete, the more confident you will feel about taking on other home improvement tasks. — brandpoint.com

 

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