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June Is the Best Time to Do These 5 Things

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Tackle these five summer maintenance tasks during June’s longer days and better weather — and save yourself time and money this winter. #1 Update Outdoor Lighting In June, winter nights are probably the last thing on your mind. But early summer is the perfect time to plan for those “OMG, it’s only 4:30, and it’s already dark” moments by adding or updating landscape lighting. The most energy-efficient, easy-to-install option is solar lighting, but it won’t perform as well on dark or snowy days. For light no matter the weather, install electric. #2 Clean Your House’s Siding With a bit of preventive maintenance, your home’s siding will stay clean and trouble-free for up to 50 years. Fifty years! Clean it this month with a soft cloth or a long-handled, soft-bristle brush to guarantee that longevity. Start at the bottom of the house and work up, rinsing completely before it dries. That’s how you avoid streaks. #3 Focus on Your Foundation There’s no better time for inspecting your foundation
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Small Affordable Home Upgrades for Big Impact

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Home improvement pros and DIYers tout a fresh coat of paint as a favorite among low-cost home upgrades that can make a huge impact. But what else can you do to accessorize and decorate? Sometimes the little things can make a bigger difference than you might think.  Professionals share the following easy and low-cost home upgrades to add a designer’s touch all around the house. These projects may even help increase your home’s perceived value.  For the Bathroom 1. Frame It Estimated cost: starting around $100 That edgeless, builder-grade mirror hanging above the bathroom vanity may be prime for an update. Measure the mirror and choose from numerous frame styles and materials, like wooden walnut or shiny brass. The frame kit includes clips and metal strips to attach to the existing mirror. A once-forgettable mirror instantly looks customized and styled to the space. 2. Infuse Some Green Estimated cost: $5 and up Simply adding greenery can liven up bathroom spaces and soften harsh lines f
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Home Improvement Projects That Pay Off

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Big remodeling projects aren't the only way to get a worthwhile return on investment or happiness. H omeowners can get payback and joy from several smaller, lower-dollar-value home improvement projects.  Small projects are suited to DIY, which can save you cash.  Recent research shows that 10% of young millennials, between 23 and 31, want a fixer-upper home where they can work on DIY projects.  Of course, kitchen and bathroom makeovers will always have a place in our hearts (if not our wallets). The following five high-performing projects are significantly less expensive options.  #1 Hardwood Flooring Refinish or Replacement Refinishing hardwood floors is one of the top interior remodeling projects that brings the highest return. Remodelers estimate the cost at $3,400, and REALTORS® estimate the value recovered at $5,000, a whopping 147% return.  With hardwood floors, you get a lot of bang for your buck, they’re not that expensive, and people really like them. Postpandemic, homeow
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How to Pick Paint Colors to Fix Any Room’s Flaws

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Every home suffers a few negatives, but not every solution requires pricey structural changes.   Paint   is a frugal remodeler’s go-to solution to perk up a problem room. Here’s how to pick paint colors to give any room a facelift: Choosing Paint for a Room That’s Too Small Painting walls white, cream, pastels, or cool colors (tinged with blue or green) creates the illusion of more space by reflecting light.  White or light colors on walls lifts the ceiling, bringing your eyes up, which makes you feel like you’re ina larger room. How to use paint color to make a room seem bigger: Paint trim similar to walls to ensure a seamless appearance that visually expands space.  Use a monochromatic scheme to amplify the dimensions of a room. Select furnishings in the same color. Lack of contrast makes a room seem more spacious. Extend wall color onto the ceiling an additional 6- 12- inches. This will make the room seem taller. Paint vertical or horizontal stripes. Vertical stripes enhance room he
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Understanding Paint Finishes

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There’s a basic rule of thumb to follow when choosing paint sheens: The higher the sheen, the higher the shine — and the higher the shine, the more durable it will be. Flat paint has no shine; high-gloss is all shine. In between are eggshell, satin, and semi-gloss, each with its own practical and decorative job to do.  Here’s how to choose the right paint sheen for your painting job: High Gloss The most durable and easiest to clean of all paint sheens, high-gloss paint is hard, ultra-shiny, and light-reflecting. Think appliance-paint tough. High gloss is a good choice for area that sticky fingers touch — cabinets, trim, and doors. High-gloss, however, is too much shine for interior walls. And like a Spandex dress, high gloss shows every bump and roll, so don’t skimp on prep work. Practical application:  kitchens, door, and window trim Durability:  very high Semi-Gloss Good for rooms where moisture, drips, and grease stains challenge walls. Also great for trim work that takes a lot of a
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What You Need to Know About Quartz Countertops

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The kitchen tends to be the home’s gathering place, so it’s only natural you want it to look and feel  welcoming. But as the hub of your home, your kitchen needs durable countertops, especially if you have little ones helping with the cooking. Quartz countertops are a trendy choice for kitchens, but before you get in touch with your contractor, it’s important to assess the pros and cons and review some alternatives.  What Are the Pros and Cons of Quartz Countertops? Pros of Quartz Kitchen Countertops Durable : Quartz countertops are highly durable, made from a mix of stones and stone-like materials bound together with resins. Makers of quartz countertops press the materials and resin into slabs that are solid and nonporous. That means the counters won’t chip or crack with everyday use (like when your little ones are helping you cook).  Stain-resistant : Quartz is highly stain-resistant, thanks to its nonporous surface. But it can be stained by certain substances — like red wine, coffe
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