7 home improvement tips

The key to a successful home improvement on a budget is to look for ideas that you can do yourself. Instead of shelling out a ton of money, why not consider these great 7 home improvement tips?

Pro tip: Pinterest is your best friend when doing a DIY project!

It can be expensive to hire a professional to redo some parts of your home, and choosing a contractor can be a stressful process. Figuring out how to pay for your home improvement project is an important consideration.

While a personal loan may be an option for smaller projects, a HELOC or a credit card might be a better option. In fact, these loans are a common way to tackle your DIY project.

Improve your home without breaking the bank. Here are seven ideas!

1. The deck of your dreams

Turn your boring outside space into an outdoor living room! Whether you’re after a raised wood deck to give your guests someplace to sit or a classy brick patio for lounging by the grill, a usable outside space can make a big difference in how you enjoy your home.

The charming visual addition to the outside of your home is a great way to add value as well.

While this is a big project, it’s also big on rewards. Start by drawing up some plans, then write up a shopping list of things you need, and head over to your favorite Numerica branch to apply for financing.

Then you’ll be on your way to the local home improvement store for lumber, bolts, and a few new power tools.

2. Paint a room… Or a whole house!

If you’re not quite ready to pull a Bob Vila, try a fresh coat of paint in your favorite room. Select colors that complement your furniture and flooring, but choose slightly different shades for different parts of the house.

Maybe you want to paint your kitchen and dining room in mellow earth shades to give it a cozy feeling. Or, paint your bedroom a calming blue to help you sleep.

You can get creative, too! Try painting an accent wall to change the light effects in your favorite room. Aside from paint, brushes and rollers, make sure you get covers for furniture and floors and painters’ tape.

3. Fix up an entryway

Your front door is the first thing people see when they come into your home. You want to make sure it says great things about you and your family. A bit of time and effort can make this part of your house feel more welcoming while also saving you time and effort.

Whether you are looking for some subtle changes or a major impact, the decision is up to you. Metal house numbers, trim paint and a few planters can make your front stoop look much nicer.

Nice light fixtures take little time to install, but they can make your house both more charming and a little safer. You can also make some serious investments. A new door can really liven up the front of your house.

Pro tip: New weather stripping can make your front door more energy efficient to save on winter heating costs.

4. Add a splash of class with a tasteful backsplash

The section of wall above the sink can see a lot of water damage. Left uncovered, this can lead to mildew and even mold behind the sink. A backsplash is an attractive option for preventing that damage.

While these are typically done with tile, there’s nothing stopping you. From shiplap, wood bead board, ceiling tile or wallpaper, there are many options. You could even turn your backsplash into a functional addition to your organization system with chalkboard, whiteboard, or magnetic film!

5. Create a new outlook with windows

Installing new windows can seem like a daunting task, but they’ll pay for themselves. Plus, having new windows and screens will make your home look well-cared-for when it comes time to sell.

Pro tip: Energy efficient windows with new molding and stripping can significantly reduce your energy bills.

Do some research on energy efficient double and triple pane windows. Figure out which will fit your budget and hold long-term value. Remember, though, that the general rule is you get what you pay for. Cheap windows won’t conserve much energy.

6. Refresh a tired kitchen or bathroom with new fixtures

Your faucets and knobs see a lot of use. They get touched by dirty hands, splashed by soapy water and can build up calcium and rust even if you’re careful about washing them. Because they’re usually metallic, they tend to draw a lot of eyes. Dull, streaky fixtures can suck all the energy out of the kitchen or bathroom.

Replacing them, though, is pretty easy. In the bathroom, you can get sleek, modern fixtures that will save your sink space for storage. In the kitchen, consider getting a detachable head with a vegetable sprayer to make cleanups easier. Whatever you do here, you’ll end up with a nicer looking kitchen or bathroom.

7. Bring your stuff together with built-in storage

If your house looks like most others, it’s chock-full with family mementos. Tossed about the room, this can look cluttered and dingy. It also makes things hard to clean and dust. However, adding more furniture can make the space feel cramped and tiny.

Consider adding built-in storage! Whether you just want to hang a shelf over an entryway, put some coat hooks by the door, or build a bookshelf into a living room wall, built-in storage is a great way to display your treasured memories without shrinking a room with too much stuff. Installing it requires lumber, mounting tools and a few other gadgets that DIY experts should have no trouble identifying.

Your home is where your family is. It is where you build your memories. Let’s work together to make home dreams into a reality with smart financing solutions.

Check out the Home Equity Line of Credit calculator, visit a branch of give us a call at 800.433.1837.