Home improvement is much easier when you are well-informed. Learn about home improvement, home safety and home maintenance. Give your dated brick fireplace a cozy cottage makeover with a paint and glaze application that mimics the look of the classic German schmear seen here. As we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links.

• Upgrade old kitchen countertops and add a kitchen backsplash for a new look.
• Adding a conservatory is, on average, the most lucrative – just make sure it doesn’t eat up too much of your garden.
• Don’t stop at motion sensor lights; install a full home security system to match.
• Install new kitchen cabinets or give current cabinets a refresh.

Hi all, we have a 1960s cottage …

An average quality carpeting will cost about $8- $12 per square foot, installed, says Matke. If you’re looking for a “safe” color, gray has been trending in recent years, Norris says. But it can hide some minor scratches or defects on painted surfaces. That could mean avoiding replacing dinged-up trim work or repainting entire walls. Keeping up with caulking maintenance in bathrooms and kitchens saves many water-damage repair costs later. When trying to sell, a nice coat of neutral paint can give the entire house a facelift, and buyers really love to see a fresh blank canvas.

• For example, you can mix metals such as copper and oiled bronze, or brushed nickel with chrome, but you wouldn’t want to mix gold and silver tones.
• Rich, warm colors include dark shades like orange, red, and yellow.
• Each house is different, and age doesn’t matter and can be found in new homes.

If the carpet in your living room is looking worn, remove it and install some hardwood flooring. Quality hardwood flooring can cost anywhere from $3 to $8 per square foot and you can save some money by installing it yourself. If the carpet is still good, give it a good DIY carpet cleaning. HomeLight analyzes millions of home sales to find real estate agents that sell homes faster and for more money. Some outlet centers have flooring stores, where you can sometimes find great deals on older styles that have been discontinued, Matke says. If an upgrade absolutely isn’t in the budget, then look to have your carpeting and hardwoods professionally cleaned.

• A good optical illusion will get the best of most of us, so why not use tricks of the eye to your advantage?
• Install track light between 20 – 40 inches away from the walls of a room.