http://realestate.msn.com/slideshow.aspx?cp-documentid=24745153
By Investopedia
It's time to tackle home-improvement tasks you put off during the cold winter weather. There are lots of relatively simple and affordable things you can do to give your home a face lift. Your house will look better and your family will feel happier in it. As a bonus, you will also boost your home's value.
1. Add the perfect touch with paint
"A fresh coat of light paint on the interior walls can work wonders," says Kelly O'Ryan of Coldwell Banker in Lexington, Mass. "Paint will always clean up dirty walls and give a room a better image."
Although dark colors can be stylish, O'Ryan advises going for lighter shades to brighten things up in warmer seasons. Karol Nickell, editor-in-chief of Fresh Home magazine, offers this advice: "Smart color selections can make a small or cramped room appear dramatically larger. In the foyer, make a good first impression with similar tones mixed at different strengths. In the living room, a bold color paired with a white ceiling makes the room seem taller than it really is."
2. Focus on the flooring
"Like paint, flooring can help create an impression of spaciousness and airiness," Nickell says. "Whether it's a floating laminate floor, tile or a natural 'green' alternative, lighter-tone flooring can make formerly drab areas appear modern and streamlined."
3. Lighten up the accents
"Spring (or summer) is a great time to change your window treatments and area rugs," O'Ryan says. "Once again, dark colors are associated with winter months; a lighter, airy curtain will give any room a brighter and more pleasant appearance. If your floors are in great shape, you may want to remove the area rugs and leave the floors bare. Eliminating the rugs will open up the room and make it appear larger."
4. Update the windows
Old windows aren't just ugly — they can also let your heat and air conditioning escape, costing you big bucks.
"While window treatments are typically a focus in many home makeovers, the actual windows themselves are often overlooked," says Victor Gonzales Maertens, an energy efficiency expert with Lennox Industries. "However, upgrading old single-pane windows with new Energy Star-qualified windows can save an average of between $126 and $465 per year on energy bills, and some new windows qualify for the federal tax credit."
5. Weed out bad landscaping
Neglected bushes and overgrown lawns can kill a home's curb appeal. Don't worry – you don't need a green thumb to spruce up your yard.
"Clean up the site by removing any dead or dying plants, branches and flowers," suggests Jennifer Hoxsie, landscape designer with Greenhaven Landscapes in Lake Bluff, Ill. "Prune overgrown shrubs along the home's foundation so they are below the windowsills and off walkways and driveways. Fill empty holes with site-appropriate plants. Have all the planting beds weeded, edged and mulched for a clean, crisp look. Finally, weed and fertilize the lawn and provide supplemental watering if necessary to maintain a lush green carpet."
6. Add decorative touches to the yard
We're not talking about plastic pink flamingos or creepy garden gnomes. Taylor Graves of CertainTeed building products says, "Adding benches, steppingstones, fountains or other garden accents could go a long way in making your outdoors a visually appealing and welcoming environment."
7. A few final exterior touches
While you're outside, a few other quick moves can make a big difference.
"Add color with paint to outdoor features such as window frames, decorative beams and porches," says Kurt Gleeson, national vice president of sales for RealEstate.com. Stick with calm colors that complement the home's exterior color scheme, avoiding shocking shades and drastic contrasts.
"Clean external brickwork or concrete slabs with a liquid masonry cleaner to make them look new and neat. Power washing can give external stonework, walkways and front stoops a quick makeover."
Spruce things up
By investing a few bucks and some elbow grease, you can boost your home's image – and value – quickly this year.
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