You don’t have to spend a lot of time or money to do some home improvement. For example, you can update home with simple solutions such as new drapery, or you can do more involved home improvement projects such as new flooring. You can pick up a lot of great tips for make your home more beautiful in the following article.

Replace your air conditioning filter from time to time. Whenever the filter is dirty, your air conditioner will be forced to work harder in order to keep a cool home. As a result, more energy will be used, which means more money will be coming out of your pocket. Dirty filters can also make your unit run for a longer than necessary time. A monthly replacement of the filter is recommended.

Weather stripping can greatly increase your windows’ efficiency. This very inexpensive fix from the hardware store, will seal out the hot or cold air and make your heating and cooling system much more effective. You can also reduce the drafts you feel inside your home on windy, cold nights.

Paint and spackle can cover the holes left in your walls after you have hung pictures or paintings. You can buy spackle at any home improvement store. You don’t need much for small holes. Use a bobby pin to apply spackle over the smallest holes. After the spackle has dried, use something stiff, such as a credit card, to smooth the hole until your wall looks smooth. Next, apply a coat of paint to finish the job. This will make the holes in your wall disappear overnight!

Purchase some plastic bins, and start sorting things in your garage. Then, label each box, and stack them at the front of your garage. The project is inexpensive and keeps pests out of your belongings.

Working with the correct tools will make a big difference in the quality and ease of the job. Using the proper tools makes your job easier, safer and quicker. Knowing how to properly use the tools is important too.

If you are considering the use of a conventional wood fireplace for heating your home, understand that this may not be the best route. Although it looks great, a lot of the heat escapes through the chimney, so it is not very practical. Additionally, fires use of lots of oxygen, and that’s not good for your health.

Don’t neglect all that space outside the walls of your home. Consider extending a living space into part of your backyard. It’s the ideal spot for grilling steaks or even just enjoying some fresh air and relaxation after work.

Never, ever hire an unlicensed contractor. Every state requires some form of certification for general contractors and sub-contractors. The certification doesn’t guarantee satisfaction, but they are an added assurance. More than likely, if a contractor doesn’t have the right license, they also do not have the right insurance, meaning it’s risky to hire them.

More than ever, people are discovering hidden dangers associated with home improvement. Do not purchase drywall (also known as wall board or sheet rock) that was made in China. Almost all of the dry wall sold here in the US since 2005 has been made in China. The biggest problem with it is that the quality control standards are virtually nonexistent, so the weak product simply fails to hold up. Sometimes, drywall sourced from China can even emit corrosive gas, which can destroy wires embedded in the wall.

Whether you want to do a total overhaul of your home or just update the colors, there are plenty of inexpensive options that you will love. Put your creativity to work, and come up with a gorgeous look that reflects your inner spirit. Keep the above tips in mind as you plan your home renovation projects.