The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/879797
The Press-Dispatch Fall Home Improvement Wednesday, September 27, 2017 E-7 Did you know? Of the 29 projects it studied for its 2017 "Cost vs. Value Report," Remodeling magazine found that the average payback in resale value was 64.3 cents. The lone project in the 2017 report to return a higher val- ue than its cost was the installation of loose-fill in- sulation in an attic, which provided a return of 107.7 percent. Homeowners who replaced an existing en- try door with a 20 -gauge steel unit recouped 90.7 percent of their investment at resale, placing that project second on the list. What helps homeown- ers who finance such projects recoup their associ- ated costs is the relatively low sticker price of the projects, which both rank among the five least ex- pensive projects examined in the 2017 report. But a recovering real estate market has helped home- owners recoup more of their investments on some expensive projects as well. For example, the 2017 re- port saw the biggest year-over-year percentage in- creases in value on expensive projects like upscale bathroom remodels, upscale master suites, two-sto- ry additions, grand entrance installations, and fam- ily room additions. The increase in value on those projects ranged from 5.6 percent to 7.4 percent from a year earlier. without major renovations CREATE CLOSET SPACE FURNISH your home on a budget Closet space is at a pre- mium in many homes and apartments. Many older homes were not built to accommodate large ward- robes, while rental prop- erties are often designed to maximize living space at the expense of storage. Closets vary depending on the size of the home, but many tend to be a min- imum of 24 inches deep so they can store garments without the clothes brush- ing against the walls. Bed- room and hallway closets can be four feet in length or more. Walk-in closets are the largest options, but such spaces tend to only be available in mod- ern homes or custom-built properties. It is not always practi- cal or possible to under- go renovations to create more closet space. Apart from moving to a new res- idence, homeowners or renters must evaluate the space they have and make some more efficient choic- es in how they utilize avail- able areas. Clear out clutter The first step to more closet space is to elimi- nate unused items. Cloth- ing that no longer fits or items that can be stored elsewhere should be re- moved from the closet. Do- nate as much as possible. Some organizations will even pick up donations at your convenience. Upgrade hangers and rods Replace existing hang- ers with slimmer, more uniform alternatives that more easily fit into your closet. In addition, remove empty hangers, which are likely just taking up space. Consider dual clos- et rods if space will al- low them. Hang the sec- ond rod below an area re- served for shorter clothing to achieve a two-tiered de- sign. Grouping short items together also can free up valuable floor space. Stack taller Many closets are as tall as the ceilings of the rooms where they're lo- cated. However, the up- per area may go unused because if it is not easy to reach. Install shelving above the closet rod with small swing-out style cab- inet doors to offer access. In such areas, store sea- sonal items that you won't need to reach for each day. Keep a step stool close by for easy accessibility. In small rooms, home- owners may want to find another way to utilize ver- tical space. A loft bed, which raises the bed up to a level where it might be on the top bunk of a bunk bed, will free up plenty of storage space beneath the bed. This can be turned in- to a floor closet. Create storage for small items Bookends, bins, boxes and drawers can be used to contain items that don't easily conform to clos- ets. These may be purses, scarves, ties, and more. Don't overlook the possi- bilities of hanging items on the wall inside the clos- et or on the back of clos- et doors. When finishing clos- et makeovers, be sure to install lighting inside the closet so items are more visible. (StatePoint) Moving in- to your first apartment? Ease the transition and save money in the process by helping decorate per- sonal spaces using these DIY tricks. Instead of buy- ing new, you can turn used furniture into stunning and sophisticated state- ment pieces. Finders Keepers For a great look without the hefty price tag, seek out items at flea markets, yard sales, thrift stores or simply ask relatives. You have a better chance of finding a one-of-a-kind piece, and you can haggle with the sellers for lower prices. As you shop, don't let a "fixer upper" scare you. Wood furniture, even with a few nicks or stains, can easily be refinished or re- painted for a "furniture flip" that meets your style needs. Be Space Savvy Chances are you might be sharing an apartment or house with at least one oth- er person. Make the most of limited space by incor- porating furniture that can pull double-duty. Instead of bulky chairs, grab a bench, which can offer both stor- age and seating. Nesting tables or stackable chairs are also a smart, space-sav- ing investment. Be mindful of purchas- ing oversized pieces that may crowd living areas or won't fit through tight hall- ways and stairwells. If you are running out of room, you can use spaces under beds, couches and other furniture for extra storage. Fix and Flip Furniture There are many ways to upcycle used or slightly damaged furniture pieces, transforming them from one person's trash to your personal treasure. • Drab to Fab Drawers: Beautify drawers by re- moving dull, old handles or knobs and upgrade to something more contem- porary - - or simply add a fresh coat of paint. You can also line the inside with decorative shelf lin - er for an added visual el- ement and to keep things clean and organized. • Exciting Exteriors: Adhesive shelf liner also comes in handy for fresh- ening up the exterior sur- face of old, worn furniture. Embellish the front of a lackluster bedside table or the back of bookshelf cub- bies with Duck brand Deco Adhesive Laminate, which comes in many designer styles, such as Rose Gold, Quatrefoil or Marble and is available at a variety of na- tionwide retailers. • Paint Perfection: Create dimension and de- sign when painting by us- ing a premium painter's tape. Try something bold and geometric on the top of a desk to make studying more enjoyable! • Playful Pillows: Now, for the final touches. 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