Home projects and upgrades don’t have to be time-consuming ordeals that disrupt the flow of your day-to-day life. You can add value to your home and create a living space that is creative and uniquely you. Many DIY projects have great rewards for just a little time and effort. Here are a few ideas for home improvement jobs that you can complete in under an hour.
Shelving
Some of the best and most unique shelving solutions are floating shelves. These are shelves that appear to stick out of the wall with no support bars or unsightly connectors. By fitting a strip of already hollow door to a secured piece of wood, the shelf will appear to float on your wall and can hold much more weight than you might think.
For a unique way to showcase your pictures on the floating shelf, consider putting your favorite photos directly onto a piece of wood. With a few simple craft supplies you can transfer the image directly to the wood itself, making it a photo and frame in one. It can be done in virtually any size that you can print the original picture in and makes a great way to showcase family photos anywhere in your house.
Security
If you’re looking to add a sense of security and comfort to your home, while adding to its value at the same time, you don’t have to get an expensive setup and have it professionally installed. In fact, you don’t even need a computer. By picking up some wireless IP cameras from Lorex, you can cover your entire house and conveniently check in from anywhere on your mobile device. There are a variety of styles, sizes and mounting accessories that allow you to monitor any location with ease.
For those who enjoy using the patio but find it a bit too exposed to the rest of the world, think about making your very own privacy screen. By taking a simple white drop cloth, adding a touch of color and fastening some grommets, you can create the privacy and security you are looking for with some style, and still be able to enjoy the peace and solitude of your patio.
Pallets
Everyone has seen those trucks on the freeway with stacks and stacks of old wooden pallets used as a base for transporting huge quantities of product with a forklift. But did you know that with a little time and effort, those same ugly wooden pallets can be transformed into a variety of useful and attractive items? Some extra pieces of wood and a pile of dirt can become an above-ground planter. And if you are looking for a one-of-a-kind piece of furniture in your home, the pallets can easily be converted into everything from shelving to storage areas with a little creativity, some wood stain, and a few pieces of equipment.
With all the big-box furniture stores and mass-produced decorations, sometimes the very best thing you can put in your home is something you made yourself. With just a little imagination, some elbow grease and a spare hour, you can make your house feel more like home while adding to its market value.