diy Archives - Curb Appeal

How-To: Giving Your Old Fence a Face-Lift

Do you have an old fence that has good bones but nonetheless is detracting from the overall aesthetic of your outdoor living space? If so, consider giving the fence a facelift rather than tearing it down and replacing it with a brand-new version. You don’t have to be a professional fence contractor to breathe new life into an ailing fence. Here’s what you need to do:

Inspect the Fence Carefully

The first step in giving your fence a facelift is performing comprehensive, honest inspection. Are the fence posts still firmly rooted, and are the railings relatively free of rot and fairly intact? Identify any problem areas and mark them clearly with a waterproof marker so that you can easily find them again.

Make a Game Plan

The next step is to repair and reinforce your fence — resist the urge to pressure was it at this time because that will only make any existing damage worse. If necessary, replace broken or rotten railings and posts. Because fences feature sectional construction, you don’t have to take the whole fence apart in order to replace posts and rails.

Wash the Fence

It is not necessary to own or rent a power washer to clean your wooden fence. If you do decide to use one, keep it on the lowest possible setting. A garden hose will work just as well, although some people do prefer to use a power washer for larger fences.

Wash your fence by sections. The first step is to thoroughly wet the fence before cleaning it with a soft cloth, a fiber brush, and a solution of mild detergent and warm water. Let the solution sit for several minutes on areas of the fence with significant grime or stains — and use the brush to remove stubborn patches of dirt. Add up to two cups of bleach to your cleaning mixture if your fence has multiple stained areas. Be sure to rinse each section thoroughly before moving on to the next.

Paint or Stain the Fence

A fresh coat of paint or stain works wonders to increase the aesthetics of a wooden fence. White paint provides a fence with a classically upscale look, while staining it a neutral tone enhances a natural look. Whichever you choose, it’s bound to elevate the overall curb appeal of your property.

Depending on the size of your fence, the extent of the damage, and whether you decide to paint or stain it, the project will probably only take a couple of days. Most homeowners do the cleaning and the repair work one day and save the painting or staining for the following day.

Home Improvement: New Projects That May Have Missed Your Radar

Regardless of how long you have lived in your home, you probably have a list of home improvement projects that you want to finish in the near-term and the distant future. This list likely includes all the most common home improvement projects, such as a bathroom remodel, fresh paint or a new patio or deck.

However, you won’t want to ignore the smaller and lesser-known home improvement projects. These innovative ideas can transform how you live inside your home:

Create a Reading Nook

A reading nook is a relatively simple home improvement project to complete, as it does not require a lot of time, experience or money. Simply find a small corner or space in your home, and make it as comfortable as possible. You can add built-in shelves to house all your favorite books, and place a comfortable chair or pillow on the floor.

Design a Home Fitness Area

Fitting in your daily workout is very important, but it can be difficult to find time to go to the gym. Instead of spending a lot of money on a luxury gym membership, create a fitness area in your own home. You can put your favorite exercise equipment in an extra bedroom or in a corner of your basement that is often ignored. Mount a TV on the wall and paint the room your favorite color. You’ll find yourself looking forward to those workouts.

Establish a Zoom Room

Whether you regularly participate in virtual seminars or you work full time from home, you are likely going to need a quiet, functional and visually appealing space to take all of those Zoom calls. An old closet or an unused bedroom can easily be made into a Zoom room. Paint the room a neutral color and add some soft lighting to ensure you’re plainly visible during your meetings with no strange drop shadows or distracting hues.

While kitchen remodels and finished basements are great projects to complete, you won’t want to forget about some of these interesting ideas. By making the most out of the space inside your home, you will be able to fully enjoy every moment that you are there.

Home decor upgrades: Creative ways to DIY with paint

If you’re searching for ways to upgrade existing furniture and decor, DIYs with paint might be perfect for your next project. A little paint can go a long way, whether it’s on walls, cabinets, furniture or decorative accessories.

DIY paint projects for your walls

Painting your walls might seem like an enormous undertaking, but the reward is well worth the time and effort. A new coat of paint can transform an entire room without making any other major changes.

However, for a smaller scale project, consider painting an accent wall in your room of choice.

You can create bold geometric shapes and patterns using painter’s tape to mimic the appearance of wallpaper. Try a colorful honeycomb motif in your bathroom, or a more subtle herringbone in the bedroom using neutral tones.

Another great idea for DIY projects with paint is to paint the inside walls of your closets. A quick coat of white or another light shade will instantly make your closet seem bigger and brighter.

DIY ideas with spray paint

Spray paint offers a wealth of possibilities for DIY projects, especially when it comes to upgrading existing pieces. The key is to choose the right type of paint primer for the material you plan to refurbish.

Do you have old metal filing cabinets taking up space in your home office? Try spray-painting them in a bold hue to turn them into statement pieces.

For decorative pieces, don’t forget you can spray paint glass or ceramics. Turn unused mason jars into decorative containers with your choice of spray paint in a high gloss finish. Try transforming an old glass vase or pitcher into charming farmhouse style accent pieces.

Are you ready to grab a paint brush, roller or spray can? With painting projects, you can upgrade your existing pieces and create design statements with bold like-new decor. Keep these ideas in mind the next time you need ideas for DIY paint projects.