Back again with more great home improvement tips. Ways to improve the usability and appearance of your home, as well as the market value of your real estate property.

In part one of Home Improvement Tips to Increase the Market Value of your Home we discussed kitchen remodeling ideas, various aspects of bathroom remodeling, and the ins and outs of wall paneling. We also hit upon other types of remodeling that increase the market value of a home, including the use of water features and tiled floor.

In part 2 we will discuss creative ways to increase storage space in various areas of the house, wallpapering techniques to help insure success, and handy tips that make home improvement projects proceed a little easier.

Creative Ways to Increase Storage

Whether you lack storage area in your kitchen, bedroom, or entry way there are creative ways to increase storage space quickly, easily, and affordably.

Halls for instance, although often overlooked, usually have long walls with ample space for storage. A single open shelf installed a foot or so from the ceiling will not impede movement even in narrow halls. It provides storage space for items such as umbrellas, hats, scarves, gloves, and folded sweaters and outer jackets.

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Wide halls are perfect for floor to ceiling shelves. Be sure and leave at least 36-inches of floor space for traffic flow.

Hide-Away Storage

Recycle old dresser drawers to make under-the-bed storage bins in a bedroom that lacks adequate storage space. Fasten small casters to the bottom of the drawers so they slide easily in and out from under the bed. These quick and easy storage bins are perfect for seasonal clothing, extra linens and blankets.

Increase Kitchen Shelf Space

A slide-in shelf made of ¾” plywood provides double the storage space under the sink. Allow room for the trap when determining shelf height; cut two side supports to that height. Cut the shelf ¼” shorter than the inside width of the cabinet. Sand shelf and side supports; apply one or two coats of polyurethane, allowing drying time between each coat. Attach the shelf to the side supports using 6d finishing nails; slide shelf into place under the sink.

Add storage boxes made from ¾” veneer-grade plywood to the area between the ceiling and tops of kitchen cabinets. Butt the boxes together; cover joints with strips of molding. Cover exposed plywood edges with iron-on veneer tape.

These type storage bins are perfect for storing pots and pans, and large serving dishes. Use the shelf over the kitchen sink area to display attractive plants, baskets, or knick-knacks.

Create Extra Storage and Seating

Another great home improvement tip suitable for nearly any room in the house is to create extra storage and seating space along a window wall. Line the wall beneath a large window with sturdy low cabinets for added storage. Install a ¾” high-grade plywood platform over the cabinets for added seating.

Sand and paint, stain, or polyurethane the platform to match the cabinets. Finally, top the platform off with cushions.

Helpful Wallpapering Tips

Wallpaper can be a very cost-effective, dramatic way to alter the appearance of a room. And with the variety of types, textures, and styles now available, the right choice in wallpaper can be used to create just the right mood in a particular room: inviting and warm, sophisticated and formal, soothing and relaxing. Wallpaper can also be used to custom match walls to the room’s furnishings for an elegant designer touch.

Not everyone, however, has the skill or the patience to properly apply wallpaper to the walls so that the finished project is eye-appealing instead of an eyesore. You may feel more comfortable hiring a professional interior house designer or wallpaper hanging professional.

If you decide to do the job yourself, the following tips will help get you started and smooth out some of the rough spots associated with wallpapering.

Preparing the Walls

If walls have an existing wall covering, you must decide whether or not you should remove it before hanging new wallpaper. If the old covering is un-textured, just one layer thick, and still adhered to the wall tightly, you generally can leave it in place. Vinyl, foil, and plastic film wallpapers, however, generally do not cover well.

If old wallpaper remains on the wall, glue down any loose areas. Wash the surface with detergent and a very mild solution of household bleach and water. When completely dry, apply a primer made for use under wallpaper.

If the wall covering has to be removed, use a steamer or chemical wallpaper remover. Applying the remover with a pressurized garden sprayer speeds up the process. Position the tip of the sprayer several feet away from the wall; spray liberally. Allow the remover to soak in before removing the old wall covering. Be sure and wear goggles and gloves during this process.

To reduce mess, use old sheets and bedspreads as drop cloths to catch the strips of old wall covering as it is removed. Discard the strips before they dry to the drop cloth.

After walls are completely stripped, wash them with clean hot water and household bleach; ¼ cup bleach to 2 gallons of water is fine. Allow walls to dry thoroughly before wallpapering; usually 2 or 3 hours, or several days if it is humid.

Patterned Wallpaper; Tricky Business

Hanging patterned wallpaper can be tricky business. Follow the helpful tips below to help insure success.

If the new wall covering has a large pattern, center the first strip on a main wall or at the focal point of the room, such as a fireplace or window, then work away from one side. Stop when you get to an inconspicuous place for the mismatch strip. Go back to the center strip and work your way around the other side until you come to the mismatch spot.

Many patterned wallpapers are “mirror images.” The pattern at the top is the same as the pattern on the bottom. Some patterned wallpapers, however, are not. And even diamond and striped patterns – although they may look the same – can have shading that is different at each end. When that is the case, mark the pasted side of the top of each piece with an “X” as you cut it from the roll to ensure you don’t hang any pieces upside down.

Notes:

Even if you tackle some home improvement projects yourself, you may want to hire a remodeling contractor for some of the projects detailed in this article.

It only takes a minute to post your home remodeling project online at HandyCanadian.com, and it doesn’t cost a cent. Qualified contractors in your area will bid competitively on your project, offering you better service at a better price.

Uncertain as to how to select the right contractor for the right job? HandyCanadian.com has informative articles that can help navigate you through the hiring process. New articles are posted regularly, so don’t forget to check back soon for other helpful home renovation and home improvement tips.

Home Improvement Tips Part 1, Part 3

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