Home Improvement Projects You Can Do Yourself

Home improvement projects aim to make a house more comfortable, increase its value or energy efficiency, or adapt it to new uses. Oftentimes, homeowners want to tackle home improvement projects themselves. But even if you're not an experienced do-it-yourselfer, you can still complete many home improvement projects with a bit of help from the local hardware store.

Here are some common home improvement projects and the supplies you'll need to complete them.

A Fresh Paint Job

A fresh coat of paint is one of the quickest and easiest ways to spruce up your home. This project is great for do-it-yourselfers of all skill levels.

To get started, you'll need to gather some supplies. First, you'll need a good quality paintbrush, roller, or paint sprayer. A quality paintbrush should have natural bristles and a comfortable grip. Look for rollers with medium-nap covers for a smooth paint job and a tray to hold them. A paint sprayer can come in handy if you're painting a large surface or want to avoid brush strokes.

If you're painting anything high up, you'll also need paint drop cloths, painter's tape, paint stir sticks, and a ladder. Drop cloths will protect your floors and furniture from paint drips, while painter's tape will help you create clean lines and prevent paint bleeding.

Of course, you'll also need the actual paint. Choose high-quality paint that's appropriate for the surface you're painting. For example, if you're painting a room with high ceilings, you'll need paint designed to cover a large surface area. Similarly, if you're painting a room with a lot of traffic, you'll need paint that's designed to withstand wear and tear.

Once you have your supplies, you're ready to start painting. Begin by preparing the room by removing all the furniture and covering it with drop cloths. Next, use painter's tape to tape off any areas you don't want to be painted, such as baseboards or window frames.

Hanging Pictures and Mirrors

Hanging pictures and mirrors is a great way to add personality to your home. This project is relatively simple, but it does require a bit of planning.

Before you start, take a look at the wall or surface where you want to hang your pictures or mirror. Is it smooth, or does it have bumps or texture? If the surface is bumpy, you'll need to use wall anchors to make sure your pictures or mirror don't end up crooked.

Next, decide how you want to arrange your pictures or mirror. It's helpful to lay everything out on the floor before you start drilling holes in your wall. Once you have a plan, hold each picture or mirror up to the wall and mark where you'll need to drill a hole.

Finally, start hanging your pictures or mirror using the appropriate hardware. For example, you'll need nails or screws for heavier items since picture hooks aren't strong enough to hold them. Lighter items can be hung using adhesive strips or wall hooks.

If you're hanging a mirror, you'll also need to attach mirror clips to the back of the mirror. These clips will help support the mirror's weight and keep it from falling off the wall.