By Guest Blogger Danielle McAnn
Want to try some home improvement but don’t think you have the cash for a big makeover? Well, there are many affordable options available and many people are taking notice.
Take a look at these handy tips and ideas to help you with some small home improvement projects that could transform your entire space.
Wallpaper
If you haven’t visited a wall-covering retailer lately, you’re missing a treat. With the revived popularity of wallpaper, stores are offering an expanded range of choices. The prices of some of these may knock your socks off too.
But take heart. You don’t have to cover every wall to make a dramatic change. Papering only a single wall will do, and that’ll make some of those fine, expensive papers or fabrics affordable. It’ll also lessen the time, effort and mess of papering an entire room. This is an especially good solution for a room with plain walls, slim baseboards and window trim, and no built-ins. You create instant character. There are some great bold options and some nice subtle patterns too.
Tip: Begin by taking a photo of your existing room and measuring its dimensions. Take these with you to the interior design or wall-covering store. Ask a specialist to help sort through options that’ll work well with your existing furnishings. The specialist will also help you pick the best wall for the new paper and estimate the amount to order.
Track Lighting
Track lighting lets you put light exactly where you need it—on counter-tops, walls or objects—and brighten just about any area. The tiny halogen bulbs emit a dazzling white light that illuminates colours brilliantly.
The price of track lighting has dropped in recent years. And many systems now operate on standard household voltage. That means you don’t have to install a Transformer—just connect to any existing junction box in the ceiling.
Tip: The “rail” system that hangs below the ceiling like we show will hold both spotlights and pendants. Rails typically run either 4 or 8 ft. You can bend the rail for a more decorative appearance and position the lights anywhere on it.
Trims and Paint
By adding two simple lines of trim—a chair rail and a crown moulding—you create the perfect framework for any handsome two-colour wall combination. This is one of the secrets of fast, easy redecorating.
Tip: To have the biggest colour impact, paint your trim. This also simplifies installation. You don’t have to cut perfect joints, because a little filler and paint will leave them looking sharp and crisp. You can also use less expensive materials.
Danielle Mcann is a copywriter working with Sunlite Mitre10. When Danielle’s not writing content she enjoys swimming, shopping and taking her Golden Retriever dogs for a walk.
