Improving the quality of your home is something that everyone dreams of doing. Some projects are small and more like the “do it yourself” kind, while others are large and may require the assistance of a contractor. Whatever type of project you choose, though, the time and money you spend can be well worth the effort. The trick is to pick the right projects and do them well. Here are a few tips that can help when you’re making your home improvement decisions.

Not every home improvement project has to be a major overhaul or a major expense; there are a number of quick and easy updates you can make at a reasonable cost to add value and appeal to your home. Start with paint. Paint your walls, your cabinets, your trim or your doors. You can even paint your stove or floor tiles with specialty paint designed for that purpose. Increase storage space by installing closet or pantry organizers. Replace boring kitchen cabinet knobs with ones that are unique and decorative. While you’re at it, do the same with your plain white wall plates. Enhance your new paint job with fresh, bright curtains and sheers. Rent a floor buffer, and buff and wax your hardwood floors. A little cash and a dash of creativity can result in some dramatic changes.

You can speed the drying of your drywall patch by using a hair blower! Any hair dryer will work as long as it is portable enough that you can direct the air flow from it over your patch. Keep the air temperature set to low and don’t try to dry the patch too quickly or it will crack.

For an energy efficient upgrade, replace your hot water heater with a tank-less model. The new tank-less heaters only heat the water as it is needed as opposed to keeping 50 gallons or more heated at all times. This change will help your utility bills and the environment.

A very simple home improvement tip is to declutter. Start with this easy task: If you have kids, you may be guilty of cluttering your fridge with their work and little design magnets. Keep your appliances clear by attaching just some of your children’s artwork and only a few magnets at a time. You can switch these items out every week.

It is a very good idea to own your home. Most people want to decorate their house and make improvements to fit their lifestyle, but when you rent you need to ask for permission to make certain improvements. It is much better to do that in your own property, as it doesn’t make any sense to spend thousands of dollars to improve someone else’s property.

The tips and tricks of the pros can help you create your own home improvement check list. Whether you decide on smaller projects to complete on your own, or whether you decide to bring in a contractor, you’re home will surely benefit from taking on a few home improvement projects.