Welcome to Gaia! :: View User's Journal | Gaia Journals

For many of us, our home is our most valuable asset in terms of our financial security. In addition to being the place where we spend the majority of our time. Having a home that is well maintained and attractive can increase our financial stability, as well as our psychological peace of mind.









If you have http://abc6onyourside.com/investigators/handyman-who-targeted-elderly-gets-prison-time , consider installing solar panels on your roof. While they may be expensive and labor intensive in the short run, in the long term you'll cut down on your electric bill and contribute to helping the Earth through utilizing greener energy sources. There are also tax credits for those who install solar panels.



Sometimes traditional and economical methods of dealing with squeaky doors may work for you. Here is a cheap alternative that you can try: Remove the hinge pin as normal, and rub it with regular bar soap. Then replace the pin and open and close the door to let the soap disperse on the hinge parts.



Maybe the house or apartment you're living in is great, but the view to the outside is not. If you have any offending sights that you wish to conceal, consider putting some plants or flowers on your window sill or in a window box. If you would like to take drastic measures in concealing your offending view, plant some shrubs or large trees in front of your window. This can ensure that you have a nicer view.



Flooring can be a relatively simple home improvement project even for a novice. Focus on putting tile in your kitchen and bathrooms and replace your carpet with hardwood flooring. Home improvement stores have a wealth of information about how to make this process easy for you to complete.



If you don't want to refinish your old and weathered wooden floors, you can instead, give your home a cottage style boost. Buy some oil based paint and choose some affordable stencils. Use the stencils and paint to re-design your wooden floors. Add some cute designs in varying patterns, to give a full on-cottage look to your home.



If you have an extensive collection of collectibles or figurines, keep what you display to a minimum. Trying to display everything in one room or area can make your space appear cluttered. Choose a few focal pieces, about 5 pieces at the most and arrange them in a pleasing manner.



One way to make your home stand out from the rest is to add a new coat of paint to your garage door. Because garage doors are always exposed to the weather, they can soon become quite tattered looking. A fresh coat of paint makes your whole house look newer and more valuable. Paint your garage door a different color that will match your home.



Ugly driveways and concrete can be repaired without having to spend the time and money to replace them. Concrete refinishing has become a new alternative for that cracked driveway or walkway. They can apply a new topcoat, stains, imprint patterns or other design elements that will give your home a whole new look for less.



Floor stain can make your basement look better. Staining a concrete floor is not only stylish, it is cheaper than replacing it. Stained concrete is also easier to keep clean, as it is less porous. Look for stains to add shine and lustre. This will give the illusion that your floors are fancy.



If a slamming screen door has your nerves rattled, apply a pearl-sized dab of silicone caulking on the areas of the doorjamb where the door usually hits the hardest. After allowing the silicone to dry for about three or four hours, you will immediately notice a difference in the way the door shuts.



If you have a large, open kitchen, consider building or buying a movable kitchen island. An island can be covered with tile, granite, or http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/news/crime/2016/10/20/bastrop-man-faces-home-improvement-fraud-charges/92473022/ , making it the perfect extra surface for preparing meals, serving food, finishing up homework, or as a makeshift mini-bar that goes wherever you need it to. Many models include storage features like drawers, hooks, and built-in cutting blocks.






<img src="http://www.homeadvisor.com/kitchen-remodeling/kitchen-remodeling.jpg" />

A basement is a great space to convert into a playroom, home office or gym. If your basement has at least 7 feet of head room and remains dry, the remodel should be relatively straightforward. If dampness is a problem, consult a professional to correct the issue before you begin your project.



Most people will make improvements on their homes at some point. But there is a difference between what you want to accomplish and what you can realistically accomplish. It's not uncommon for something to be done wrong because someone didn't take the time to learn to do it the correctly. It's important that this doesn't happen to you. Use the advice in this article to make great, working improvements to your home.