Easy Home Improvement For Your Chicago Condo Or House Article

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Easy Home Improvement For Your Chicago Condo or House

Looking for simple DIY projects to give your Chicago home a mini face lift? Here are 5 easy home improvement jobs you can do on your own to refresh your house or condo.

Author: Spencer Mason

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1.) Painting is probably the No. 1 best way to update the look of your home without spending a lot of time or money. The key to an easy paint project is preparation. Before you begin painting, move all furniture into the middle of the room, cover the floors with drop cloths, tape down newspaper where the walls meet the floor, unscrew light switch covers and outlet plates, and use painter’s tape over fixtures and along trim work. An angled brush works well to cut in the walls at the ceiling, along trim and around fixtures. Take steady, slow strokes with plenty of paint on the bristles to cover easily. Then, use a roller to fill in the big spaces. A primer may be necessary to paint over dark colors. Let dry and do a second coat.

To spice up the kitchen, consider painting the cabinets a new color. It is best to take the doors off and remove the hinges and hardware before painting. Sand the existing surface and wipe clean with a wet cloth. Putting a bold new color on your front door will also perk up the look of your home and make the entrance standout.

2.) Add dimmers to lights for a nice mood-setting upgrade. There will be detailed installation instructions on the dimmer switch box you purchase. Just remember to turn off the power to the circuit before you begin by switching off the breaker in your electrical box. And turn the new dimmer light switch to off before turning the breaker back on.

3.) Change hardware on cabinets to create an all-new feel. This is as simple as unscrewing the old handles, hinges and/or knobs and replacing them with new pieces. Make sure you get the right size, otherwise you’ll have to drill new holes, and fill in and refinish the old ones.

4.) Put in a backsplash behind your kitchen sink for a little upgrade in style. The first step is to rough up the surface by sanding the wall. Apply tile mastic to the wall with a trowel and place tiles in position with spacers to keep the design uniform. Allow it to dry overnight then apply grout to tiles, packing it into the joints. Do not grout next to the counter or cabinets. Let the grout set and then buff with a cloth. Finally, caulk around the edges to finish.

5.) Window treatments can really change the feel of a room. Try replacing the old aluminum mini-blinds with more stylish fabric panels or curtains. There are endless types of shades and drapes to choose from to get a great new look. However, if they aren’t installed properly that new “look” won’t look right. Here are a few general tips to correctly select and hang window treatments…

For curtains, mount the rod above the top of the window frame to draw the eye up. Make measurements to get the right size. Usually, you want curtains to be longer and wider than the actual window casing. It is better to attach the wall bracket where there is a stud, but if this is not possible use toggle bolts for support. Also, consider the function of your window treatment – what purpose does it serve? To provide privacy, block light, insulate from heat/cold, cut out noise, be decorative, etc. This will help determine what type of window treatment you should get.

About Author

Avi Ron writes about Home Improvement and Remodeling in the Chicago area.

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Easy Home Improvement For Your Chicago Condo or House