Home Improvements Do It Yourself.com

A new spin on decorating with sports memorabilia
(ARA) - The roar of the crowd, the thrill of a last-second victory - few things in life can evoke the excitement of a good sports competition. Passionately supporting the hometown team or proclaiming love for a favorite sport is an increasingly important activity in American culture.

Sports fans have grown to represent roughly 219 million Americans aged 12 and older, according to a recent ESPN research and analytics study. For these sports enthusiasts, the home is an ideal place to display their spirit and team pride. Read more…

Debunking common floor care misconceptions
(ARA) - Whether it’s the dog tracking in mud or the kids carrying in dirt and leaves, there are many ways floors can become dirty and unattractive. Unfortunately, for many people the process they use to clean their wood flooring might be doing more harm than good.

“There are a lot of misconceptions about floor care that lead to premature deterioration,” says Tom Sullivan, founder of Lumber Liquidators, the largest retailer of specialty hardwood flooring. Read more…

Inoculate your home for winter wellness
(ARA) - You scheduled flu shots for the entire family and stocked the cabinets with plenty of vitamin C and chicken soup. But what have you done to ensure the health of your actual home this winter?

You may not realize it, but allergens and toxins camp out in your house during the colder months, just waiting for a chance to give you and your family a case of the sniffles or the flu. Hannah Keeley, host of public television’s “Hannah, Help Me!” offers a few simple tips to guarantee a healthier home. Read more…

Easy bath improvements for the not-so-handy
(ARA) - Tired of your boring bathroom, but don’t think you have the home improvement skills to update it? Stop doubting yourself and make some quick and easy changes that will dramatically improve the look and functionality of your bath, all without calling a contractor.

Masterpiece mirrors

Occupying a majority of wall space in most baths, plate-glass mirrors are functional, yet not very aesthetically pleasing. To solve this problem, add easy-to-install mirror frames, such as Mirrorscapes by Moen, which are available in five different styles and a variety of finishes to beautifully coordinate in your bath. Read more…

Facing tighter budgets, more homeowners are rethinking remodeling
(ARA) - With more Americans downsizing their household budgets, larger-scale renovation projects are out and frugal remodeling is in.  And when it comes to saving money, experts say home improvement projects that increase energy efficiency are among the best investments to deliver paybacks — now and in the future.

The average return on investment for midrange home improvement projects focused on aesthetic appeal, such as kitchen or bathroom remodels, is down since 2007, according to “Remodeling” magazine. Read more…

Home improvement and landscape project tips
(ARA) - The end of the year can be a great time to take stock and plan ahead for your home and landscaping improvement projects.

Richard Childress, owner of Childress Vineyards, Richard Childress Racing and the No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil team, has done his fair share of home improvement projects over the years and knows what it takes to get the job done. There are a lot of decisions and key steps that are part of the planning process for any project. Whether installing a pool, putting on an addition or simply planting trees or bushes, Childress has a few tips to help make the process safe and easy. Read more…

Put the ‘dream’ back in your dream home
(ARA) - Remember how you felt when you first bought your home? It was a dream come true. Since then, your dreams and needs have changed and maybe you’re feeling it’s time to move. Unfortunately, the real estate market is not cooperating and you face either selling at a loss, or not being able to sell at any price.

There is an alternative to letting the housing market get you down. Make the space you’re in reflect your dreams by doing some targeted renovations to add luxury and utility. A great place to spice things up is in the kitchen. Read more…

The proper care and feeding of your fall lawn
(ARA) – Most people view spring and summer as the peak time for lawn care, but it’s fall that actually marks the beginning of your lawn’s growing season. There are simple but crucial steps to take now to promote a strong, beautiful lawn through next season and beyond.

Whether you have the best yard in the neighborhood or you haven’t had much success with your turf, you can improve and maintain the condition of your lawn if you take these three steps: Read more…