Ten Fixes for a Tired Home

By Francine L. Huff

If your home is looking a little rundown these days, here are some things you can do to spruce it up.

• A good cleaning can help tidy up your home's appearance. Scrubbing grease off cabinets and appliances can give your kitchen an inexpensive makeover.
• Freshen up your kitchen. A kitchen makeover can be expensive, but you can give your kitchen a mini-makeover on a budget by replacing cabinet doors. A kitchen makeover can also include replacing kitchen countertops, adding an island, or painting cabinets.
• Wash and repair house windows. It's amazing how washing dirty house windows can really upgrade the appearance of a home.
• Buy replacement windows. If your windows are old, replacement windows may be the way to go. Vinyl replacement windows are affordable and energy efficient. When you buy replacement windows, look for insulated windows. Replacement windows will last about 30 to 40 years.
• Clean up the landscape. Mow the lawn, trim bushes and trees, and plant new flowers to give your home curb appeal.
• Get new house siding. Vinyl siding can give your home a dramatic facelift and reduce maintenance costs. Vinyl siding comes in a variety of colors and prices so contact a vinyl siding installation expert. House siding also comes in wood, aluminum, and steel, but vinyl siding is the most popular. Vinyl siding will also outlast paint jobs.
• Brighten rooms with a fresh coat of paint.
• Bust the dust. Mop floors and vacuum or replace carpets to cut down on dust mites and freshen up rooms.
• Change the appearance of rooms with new curtains and blinds.
• Dark rooms can be brightened with new lamps or overhead lighting fixtures.