December 2009: Projects Make the Difference
credit: Ultimate Handyman
Recently, the Daily Monitor printed an article encouraging everyday Joes to play the part of carpenter. If carpentry sounds like a skill that you have yet to acquire, don’t worry—there are many small home improvements that you can make with some very basic carpentry skills.
As the article details, installing simple and functional shelves is a quick way to update the look of any home. According to the article "shelves will work wonders for that wall or surface that has remained stubbornly plain even after trying out most of the decor tricks." If you’ve "tried everything from paintings to wall hangings," but you still can’t seem to spruce up your space, then you may want to pick up a hammer, a level and a couple of nails. Why? The simple addition of shelves will make any drab room more interesting.
The best part is that shelves are relatively inexpensive, which means that you can get creative with colors, positions and widths.
While shelves are an excellent idea, there are some other simple carpentry projects that can serve a similar purpose. Here are a few clever ways to make your home stand out —without even adding a coat of paint:
- Install interior shutters. Placing shutters inside of your home will create a European-inspired space that’s as whimsical as it is beautiful. You can purchase shutters at any home store, and installing them is simply a matter of using a measuring tape and a couple of heavy-duty nails.
- Add a towel bar to your bathroom or kitchen. Most people have some type of towel bar inside their bathrooms, but what do you do with all of your kitchen towels? Installing a simple tower bar in your kitchen is both functional and practical—not to mention simple!
- While replacing entire kitchen cabinets on your own is not recommended (it's a big job), you can replace kitchen cabinet doors with ease. Purchase new doors at any local hardware store, read the manufacturer’s instructions and install the doors in order to create a seemingly brand-new kitchen.
- Add a new front or back door. Even though many people hire contractors to install doors, this isn’t necessary. You can easily install your own door with the right tools. Speak with a professional at your local hardware store and ask about installing your own front door.
Playing the part of a carpenter isn’t as complex as it sounds. As long as you keep your carpentry projects within your comfort zone, you can really turn any room into a masterpiece with a few quick steps. Go ahead and get creative with your home; there are many home improvement projects that you can do on your own without paying a professional.
