Nine Speedy Home Improvement Projects

June 28, 2010

You have a list of home repairs and improvements a mile long, but no time to complete them. Sound familiar? Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to devote a weekend or even a whole afternoon to making your home safer, more comfortable, or more attractive. Most of the home improvement projects listed below can be completed in about an hour.

Update Weatherstripping

Sealing out drafts in your home doesn't take a lot of time, and it can save you money on heating and cooling year round. Most weatherstripping is easy to apply, and available in permanent or peel-away varieties.

Swap Indoor Hardware

For a quick home décor facelift, try switching the hardware on cabinet doors. The kitchen or bathroom can receive an instant update in under 30 minutes. You can find hardware at a number of stores, from antique stores to hardware stores.

Organize Cleaning Supplies

Install a rotating turntable for your most-used cleaning supplies and see how much simpler it is to clean when your supplies are organized and within arm's reach.

Wallpaper Cabinets

You can make good use of leftover wallpaper by adding it to the back of any cabinet for a pretty pop of color. For kitchen cabinets, vinyl paper is recommended for easier cleanup.

Stylize Your House Numbers

Although a relatively small task, stylized house numbers can make a big impact on the look of your home's exterior. Thousands of styles are available for you to express yourself in numbers!

Repair Driveway and Sidewalk Cracks

A quick repair job now may save you the trouble of repaving the driveway or sidewalk in the near future. Hairline cracks can easily be repaired with concrete sealer. Try to locate cracks early so they don't expand into bigger headaches.

Inspect Electrical Outlets

Take a look at your electrical outlets and make sure none are overloaded. Insert power surge protectors in those overworked outlet spots, and add childproof covers over outlets if necessary.

Perform a Home Safety Check

Take a few minutes to check the expiration date on fire extinguishers and switch out the batteries in your home's carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. You'll rest easier knowing these simple but life-saving tasks are taken care of.

Switch the Bulbs and Save

Change out regular light bulbs with energy saving flourescents. It takes about five minutes and makes a difference in energy savings.

Small steps can really add up when it comes to improving your home. Take an hour here and there to make simple changes, and watch how quickly your home is transformed for the better.

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