In this article, we’ll uncover the most common paint-related errors that shrink your space visually and what you can do instead to create a home that feels bigger, brighter, and more inviting. Whether you’re repainting a single room or refreshing your entire house, understanding these key concepts can help you avoid costly and frustrating mistakes.

1. Using Dark Colors in Small or Low-Light Spaces

Dark colors can be dramatic, moody, and stylish, but when used incorrectly, they can make rooms feel cramped and oppressive. Small rooms with little natural light are especially vulnerable. Dark colors absorb light rather than reflecting it. In spaces with minimal sunlight or artificial lighting, this can make the walls close in, reducing the perceived size of the room.

If you love dark colors, use them as accents on a feature wall, in furniture, or through decor. For the main wall color, opt for light neutrals like soft grays, warm whites, or pale pastels. These shades reflect light and help open up the space visually.

2. Painting the Ceiling the Wrong Color

Many people overlook the ceiling, assuming it doesn’t play a significant role in the look and feel of a room. But painting your ceiling the wrong color or leaving it out entirely can have a huge impact on how big or small your space feels. Painting the ceiling a dark or bold color can make it feel lower, creating a cave-like effect. Even painting it the same color as the walls, especially in a darker tone, can visually close in the room.

Instead, you should stick with bright white or a very light neutral for ceilings. A white ceiling bounces light around the room and draws the eye upward, creating the illusion of height and airiness.

3. Overusing Bold Accent Walls

Accent walls are a popular way to add personality and style. But when done poorly or too often, they can do more harm than good. A dark or intensely colored accent wall in a small room can feel overpowering and can visually reduce the depth and width of the space. In some layouts, it can also create imbalance, making the room feel awkwardly shaped.

Use accent walls thoughtfully. In smaller spaces, choose a wall that receives plenty of natural light, and opt for a color that contrasts gently with the rest of the room. Stick to soft, muted tones that add interest without overwhelming the space.

4. Choosing the Wrong Undertone

Many homeowners make the mistake of selecting a paint color without considering its undertone. A color might look beige, grey, or white in the can, but on the wall, it might read as green, pink, or purple, depending on lighting and surrounding colors. Clashing undertones can make a room feel off-balance or visually busy, even if the walls are light. This confusion can overwhelm the eye and make a space feel tighter and more chaotic.

Always test paint samples in your space and observe them at different times of the day. Consider existing elements in the room like flooring, cabinets, and furnishings to ensure the undertones complement one another. Sticking to a harmonious palette keeps the space feeling open and cohesive.

5. Using Too Many Different Paint Colors in One Area

It can be tempting to give each room its own personality by using a different color, but this can backfire, especially in smaller homes. When every room has a drastically different color scheme, it creates visual breaks. Instead of a natural flow, the eye stops and starts at each transition, making the whole home feel chopped up and more confined.

Use a consistent color palette throughout the home, especially in open-concept layouts. You don’t have to paint every wall the exact same color, but sticking with different shades of the same base tone, like soft grays, warm taupes, or light blues, helps create visual continuity and a sense of a bigger space.

6. Ignoring Trim and Molding Colors

Trim and molding often get an automatic coat of white paint, but not all whites are created equal, and skipping over these details can make your room feel flat. When trim blends into the wall color or looks too stark in contrast, it can confuse the eye and break the line of sight. Poorly chosen trim colors can make ceilings appear lower and walls shorter.

Use trim to your advantage. A crisp, clean white with a satin or semi-gloss finish can help define the space and reflect light. Painting trim slightly lighter than the wall color can also create the illusion of larger walls and higher ceilings.

7. Glossy Finishes in the Wrong Places

Glossy paint reflects more light and can make colors appear more vibrant, but using high gloss in the wrong areas can have the opposite effect. Glossy finishes show every imperfection and can bounce light in harsh ways, especially in tight spaces. This can create glare and draw attention to uneven surfaces, making the room feel more cluttered and less cohesive.

Reserve high-gloss finishes for small accents like doors or trim. For walls, stick with eggshell, satin, or matte finishes, which diffuse light more softly and help create a smoother, more open appearance.

8. Using Cool Colors in Warm Lighting

Paint colors can look completely different depending on the lighting. Using a cool-toned paint in a room with warm yellow lighting, or vice versa, can cause visual imbalance. This kind of clash created discomfort for the eye, making the space feel out of sync and more confined. Instead of feeling open and balanced, the room may feel off or poorly lit.

Match your paint colors to the lighting. If your room gets a lot of warm sunlight or has warm-toned bulbs, opt for paint colors with warm undertones. For cooler, whiter light, choose colors with cooler undertones like soft grays or muted blues.

9. Not Considering the Floor Color

Paint color doesn’t exist in isolation. The color and material of your flooring can drastically affect how your wall colors look. Dark or heavy patterned floors combined with poorly chosen wall colors can pull the room downward, making it feel bottom-heavy and closed in.

Coordinate your wall color with your floors. Light-colored walls paired with light to medium-tone floors help create a visual lift. If you have dark floors, balance them with brighter walls and plenty of natural or artificial lighting.

10. Skipping Paint Altogether

Some people avoid painting altogether out of fear of making a mistake, sticking with outdated or builder-grade beige walls that do nothing to enhance the space. Old, dingy, or mismatched walls can make a room feel neglected and closed in. Lack of intentional design reduces visual flow and harmony.

Don’t be afraid of paint, it’s one of the easiest ways to improve a space! Even a simple refresh with a soft, neutral color can breathe life into a room and make it feel larger, cleaner, and more cohesive.

Want to learn more about interior design? If the answer is “yes,” then we recommend reading this book.

Read also: THIS Is How You Should Paint a Room

It’s true that installing cabinets in a petite kitchen of 70 square feet could add up to $1,700 to $11,000, and we can only assume that those for a larger one could end up costing more than $26,000. The wide variation in kitchen cabinet cost mainly depends on the chosen profile, materials, and finish.

But since we have so many styles of kitchen cabinets available at a wide range of prices, it’s fairly important to do the much-needed research and figure out exactly what cabinets can fit your budget and blend in with the overall aesthetic.

To no one’s surprise, big-ticket purchases such as cabinetry deserve some research. In fact, a recent study from the Home Improvement Research Institute shows that over half of kitchen and bath products shoppers invest some time in research before buying anything, and the majority of those people consult more than one choice.

Parts of a kitchen cabinet door

All kitchen cabinet doors share the same basic elements. Even if more traditional styles of cabinets could have more components than modern styles, it’s still important to know the names of various parts so you can efficiently explain what you desire for your kitchen remodeling project. Framed cabinets have a face frame with doors that are inset, somehow overlay, or even full overlay. Frameless cabinets also have full-overlay doors, oftentimes with hinges inside the cabinet. The arrangement works like this:

• panel: center position, with a flat slab, of the cabinet door;
• rails: those horizontal elements on the top and bottom of a cabinet door’s center panel;
• stiles: the vertical elements on either side of a cabinet door’s center panel;
• carcass: the cabinet box; cabinet doors attach to the carcass through the hinges;
• framing bead: part of a traditional cabinet style, the raised bead between the stile and the center panel of the door;
• framing edge: the outside edge of the cabinet door;
• Joints: the connections between the cabinet door elements; the common joints are tongue-and-groove, pocket, dado, and mortise-and-tenon.

Modern kitchen cabinets

The kitchen cabinet’s origins go all the way back into the Middle Ages, but nowadays kitchens are filled with all kinds of modern interpretations of traditional handcrafted cabinetry. The vast majority of modern cabinetry styles are quite modest in their detailing, without curves or other complicated shadow lines.

Modern finishes range from matte to gloss, and hardware is quite simple, too. They’re mainly made from materials like solid wood, melamine, MDF, and metal, some of the nowadays popular styles including Shaker, Mission, flat-panel, and contemporary. Glass fronts are also quite nicely incorporated into modern kitchen cabinet installations.

Shaker

Shaker cabinets have been the most popular style for many years now, and moving forward, they are bound to remain quite a strong choice. With its super clean lines, flat-paneled fronts, and wide-framed doors, nowadays Shaker-style kitchen cabinets are still true to the honest simplicity of its 18th-century Shaker origins.

The plain design is also super easy to keep clean, more so than other ornate styles. Also known as a “5-piece” for its five components (meaning front panel, rails, and stiles), and nicely painted in neutral colors such as cream or stained in wood tones, Shaker-style kitchen cabinets fit quite well with many home styles, all the way from traditional to modern farmhouse.

Funnily enough, out of all the cabinet types, this might be one of the easiest styles, especially for an experienced DIYer. We strongly advise trying to recreate this kitchen cabinet door style at least once before trying to undertake an entire kitchen redo.

Mission

With its origins in the late 19th century, Mission-style furniture and cabinets are known to have these clean lines with the simplest, most modest construction. Even if it’s rooted in the past, the style’s flat fronts and austere aesthetic beautifully blend in with contemporary styling, giving the door fronts quite a timeless appeal that works great with modern farmhouse and minimalist interiors.

And due to this understated appearance, this particular style of cabinetry also works with traditional or even transitional spaces, when the cabinets can come either painted in neutral colors or even stained to let natural wood grain shine through.

Mission-style kitchen cabinets come with a few practical advantages, too. For instance, the lack of detailing generally makes them much easier to clean, especially compared to raised-panel cabinet doors.

Moreover, the style has an ongoing popularity, which means there are usually enough off-the-shelf or semi-custom options at home improvement centers to fully satisfy most homeowners’ preferences.

Flat-panel or slab

At times referred to as “slab,” the flat-panel door style comes with a clean look, suitable for a variety of kitchen designs. In wood tones, it nicely complements a traditional look, but it also takes on a modern aesthetic, especially when painted in bold colors.

Contemporary

Even if some people might say contemporary cabinetry has its ancestors all the way back in Arts and Crafts or Mission styles, nowadays contemporary cabinets come all the way from midcentury styles, and have taken their present shape from all the new materials and manufacturing methods developed during the past 50 years.

As flat-panel cabinet styles can be seen as contemporary, not all flat panels are truly contemporary. In fact, those that are contemporary use sleek materials such as metal and melamine and also integrate hidden hardware and knob-free opening methods that can be easily grooved, lipped, and even channeled. High-gloss finishes are quite popular on these styles of cabinets.

Glass front

The vast majority of homeowners have quite a strong reaction to glass-front cabinets. In fact, they can either love the open look and always keep their dishware and other household items on display, or fear the visibility factor and the work needed to keep the contents of their cabinets nicely arranged.

For those with neat habits and a small galley kitchen, a bank of glass-fronted upper cabinets could make the tight space seem a bit fresher. Besides, the light bouncing off the glass fronts can also make the kitchen seem a lot brighter.

Glass-front cabinets are ideal for households with no little children, since there’s always the risk that the glass could ultimately break. They can also be more expensive than simpler cabinet options.

However, if you like the look and are totally open to curating the contents of your cabinets, you will be more than pleased to know that glass fronts are often available in semi-custom and even custom options from home improvement retailers.

Traditional kitchen cabinets

Solid wood construction, as well as intricate detailing, often characterizes traditional kitchen cabinet design, even if more affordable versions in MDF and laminate also exist. In fact, truly traditional cabinets could showcase the wood grain, even if they can also be painted, stained, or even glazed in a wide variety of fashionable or old-school hues.

Even if the most common style in this particular group is raised-panel, the overall category includes beadboard, cathedral, louvered, and rustic styles.

If you found this article useful, we also recommend checking: Fire Prevention: 6 Things to Keep an Eye Out For

No worries, though-painting a room doesn’t have to be complicated , and with a little patience and some basic preparations, you can tackle it like a pro. Here’s your ultimate guide on how to paint a room. Let’s dive in!

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Before you even think about picking up the paintbrush, make sure you’ve got everything you need. A last-minute trip to the hardware store can be a huge pain, so you should get organized first. Of course, one of the first things you’ll need is paint. The amount you’ll need depends on the size of the room, but a good rule is to buy one gallon for every 350 square feet. If you’re not sure, it’s always better to have a little extra than not enough.

You will also need a paint roller, brushes, and a tray. A roller will save you time and give you a smooth and even finish. The tray holds your paint, and you’ll need a liner to keep things clean. A good brush is essential for cutting in around edges and corners.

Painter’s tape is used to tape off windows and doors to get clean lines. It’s a game-changer and makes a huge difference. If you have high ceilings, a ladder will be your best friend for reaching the top without any danger. Last on our supplies list is a screwdriver because if you need to remove light fixtures, switch plates, or outlet covers, this tool will come in handy.

Step 2: Prep the Room

Now that you’ve got everything ready, it’s time to prep the room. This step is crucial because the better you prepare, the smoother the process will go. Trust me, taking your time here will pay off in the long run. Start by cleaning out as much furniture as you can. The less you have to work around it, the easier the painting process will be. For the furniture that you can’t move , you can push it to the center of the room and cover it with some plastic foil.

You should also lay down cloths or plastic sheets on the floor to protect it. Make sure that they cover any areas that you’ll be painting, especially around edges and corners. This is even more important if you’re working with a carpeted floor. Take off any light switch covers and outlet covers. This will give you a cleaner edge around the trim and will prevent you from accidentally painting over them.

The next step is to use painter’s tape to cover baseboards and window and door frames. You’ll have nice, clean lines without worrying about painting over those areas. Clean the walls because dust, dirt, and cobwebs might interfere with the paint’s ability to stick to the walls. You can use a sponge or cloth with warm, soapy water to wipe down the walls. Make sure the walls are completely dry before moving on with the process.

Step 3: Choose the Right Type of Paint

Now for the fun part—choosing your paint! The color you pick is entirely up to you, but there are a few technicalities that you have to consider. To begin with, paint comes in different finishes, from matte to high gloss. For most rooms, eggshell and satin finishes work really well. These are easy to clean and hide all sorts of imperfections. Glossy finishes are better for doors, while matte finishes are perfect for ceilings and low-traffic walls.

Another important aspect is the quality of the paint. The higher the quality, the better the coverage and durability. Good paint might cost a bit more, but in the long run it will save you time and effort because you’ll need to apply fewer coats.

Step 4: Start with the Edges

Okay, it’s time to get painting! Start by cutting in around the edges of the room. This means painting the corners, ceiling edges, and baseboards. Use an angled brush to carefully apply the paint in these areas. It’s easier to do this before painting the rest of the wall so you don’t accidentally paint over the areas that you’ve taped off.

Don’t worry if your lines aren’t perfect at this stage. The goal is to get a solid border where the roller won’t reach. You can clean it up later.

Step 5: Roll the Walls

Now that your edges are done, it’s time to bring out the roller. Here’s a pro tip: dip your roller in the paint tray, then roll it back and forth on the tray’s ridged surface to remove the excess paint. You want the roller to be evenly coated but not dripping.

Start painting the walls in sections. Work from the top to the bottom and make sure that the paint is spread evenly. This method will prevent streaks and roller marks. Don’t press too hard; you should let the roller do the work for you. You’ll probably need to do two coats of paint. After the first coat dries, look for areas you missed and then apply a second coat.

Step 6: Remove the Tape

Once the second coat is dry, carefully remove the painter’s tape. Pull it off slowly at a 45-degree angle. If the paint starts peeling away with the tape, scrape the edge of the tape with a utility knife before removing it. This will ensure that you have clean lines.

Step 7: Clean Up

Once you are done painting, it’s time to clean things up. Clean your brushes and rollers right away to avoid the paint drying on them. You can use warm water and soap for latex paints and mineral spirits for oil-based paints. You can also clean your paint trays with a putty knife to scrape off any excess paint, then wash with warm and soapy water. Remove the plastic protection and put the furniture back in place once everything has dried.

Step 8: Let the Paint Dry and Cure

Now that everything is done, don’t rush into using the room right away. Give your freshly painted walls enough time to fully dry. Depending on the type of paint, this could take a few hours to a day. For a full cure, it might take up to a week.

There you have it! The entire process of painting a room, from prep to finish. It might seem like a lot at first, but once you get into it, it’s actually pretty simple. Plus, there’s nothing more satisfying than stepping back and admiring your hard work once you are done.

Just remember: Take your time, don’t rush, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. The beauty of this process is that you can always fix things as you go. Happy painting, and enjoy your freshly updated room!

If you are preparing to paint a room in your house, we recommend buying this paint roller kit. In this kit you’ll find different sizes of rollers and also some paintbrushes.

Read also: 8 Things That Attract Termites to YOUR HOME

We know very well that there are a lot of things you can DIY around your home. When you first start doing this, it might seem hard, but successful project after successful project makes you feel empowered.

You will end up feeling like you can achieve anything you have in mind, and this is awesome. Taking care of various reparations and renovations by yourself is amazing, but there are still some things you better let experts do their jobs.

Wondering why? Most of the time, if you mess up any of these projects, you will need to spend a fortune to repaint the damage that has been done, or in the worst-case scenario, you will get injured or even killed.

Your life is worth more than this, and this is why it is best to pick up that phone and call the people who do these kinds of things as a way of living. These are some home repairs you should never try to do alone.

Electrical stuff

Tackling some minor electrical problems, such as replacing an outlet cover or switching out a light fixture, is simple, and almost anyone can do it. As long as you turn off the power, things should be alright. This is why we want to make it clear that this is not what we want to talk with you about today.

When the job includes more complex tasks like installing a water heater, running wires through walls, or replacing a circuit breaker box, things change; the risks are much higher, and we advise you to call an expert who knows exactly what they are doing.

Why? Electrical work is very risky, and it is better to be cautious. One little mistake and your house is on fire. Besides this, local electrical codes are another problem. These are regulations that are meant to keep things safe, but navigating them when you have no previous knowledge is a true challenge.

So, your safety and the safety of your home are worth the investment in a qualified electrician. Don’t play around with these types of home repairs and always call an expert when the job is more complex than changing the light bulb.

Removing trees

Maybe you’ve cut branches from the trees in your garden before. That was a manageable task, right? If you can safely reach it with a saw or pruning tool and the branch isn’t too large, feel free to handle it yourself.

But what happens when you have to deal with larger branches or dead limbs still attached to the trunk? This is not actually part of the home repairs, but this is a common situation that appears when you have a garden with trees, and it’s important to know how to effectively deal with it.

When larger branches come into play, the only thing you can do is call the professionals. Taking care of bigger trees requires skill, experience, and specialized equipment to do it safely. Professional tree companies are equipped with all their needs, from harnesses and spotters to heavy-duty tools, and this ensures the job will be done well and safely.

Attempting to remove a tree or large branch by yourself is incredibly dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. One wrong move and the branch might end up damaging your home or harming you or others. Even more, dead or weakened limbs can behave unpredictably, increasing the risk of accidents.

Roof repairs

Climbing onto your roof is dangerous in the first place. Working at great heights is not suitable for DIY amateurs. We know that fixing your roof might sound easy, but it’s not, and all of us should be aware of it and the risks it brings. There are some home repairs we can’t do alone, and this is alright.

Roofs are typically 10 to 20 feet off the ground and often have steep slopes. If you don’t have the needed experience, things can go wrong quickly. Life-threatening injuries are not worth it, so the best you can do is call the experts.

But if we ignore the risk of falling, roof repairs often require specialized knowledge. Maybe that loose shingle or small leak you can easily see indicates a deeper structural problem, and only a professional roofer has the expertise to identify it on the spot.

You can try to DIY it yourself, but this might turn out to be just a temporary solution, and when things go down again, you will realize that it is already too late and you might need a new roof altogether.

Repairs involving gas-powered appliances

If you own gas-powered appliances, there is a high chance you’ve thought about repairing them yourself. But is this a good idea? Not at all, because gas can be dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing.

Over one-third of U.S. households rely on natural gas for heating, cooking, and other daily activities, so you’ve probably encountered problems with them. The thing is that these gas-powered appliances have an inherited risk, and you should be very well aware of that.

Natural gas is highly flammable, and even the smallest leak can lead to a great disaster. fire, explosions, or carbon monoxide poisoning. They are all possible, and by calling the experts when you have problems with your appliances, you make sure that you and your family are safe.

Large appliances like gas stoves, water heaters, HVAC systems, and fireplace inserts need regular maintenance to operate safely and efficiently. This means that a scheduled routine is mandatory, and the only ones who can take care of that are the licensed professionals.

Never attempt to do these kinds of home repairs by yourself because these systems are complex, and even a small mistake can compromise your home’s safety.

Big plumbing repairs

Maybe you have a dripping faucet or a running toilet. Both are simple DIY projects, so you can go ahead and take care of them. But how about difficult home repairs such as major plumbing problems?

As you already expect this answer, you will need to leave it to professionals. Water can be incredibly destructive. It might seem safe at first glance, but it really isn’t. What is important is that water damage can easily go unnoticed for long enough that it becomes a problem you can’t solve by yourself.

If you notice slow or blocked drains, sudden drops in water pressure, or persistent leaks, this is a clear signal that there are some problems with your plumbing system. broken pipes, tree roots invading your sewer line, or hidden water damage are all possible, but these are not problems you can simply DIY.

Water damage is not only costly to repair; it may also cause mold growth, structural instability, and long-term health risks. Plumbers who are licensed have the necessary tools, training, and expertise to diagnose and treat complicated plumbing issues in a safe and efficient manner.

If you need to do some home repairs by yourself, this might help: CARTMAN 39 Piece Tool Set General Household Hand Kit with Plastic Toolbox Storage Case Orange

You should also read: 7 Smart Kitchen Wall Storage Hacks to Maximize Your Space

Gutters are always there; any home has them, but no one notices them until problems arise. Gutters are a key element of any house and roof, but since they are not glamorous, people ignore them.

What makes them so important is the fact that they are a big utility element, and when something is wrong with them, you will immediately notice, and even worse, you need to take care of the issues immediately, or else your house will suffer.

Gutters are the heroes of your property because their purpose is simple and essential. They collect rainwater and redirect it to prevent basement flooding. This is why you should always pay attention to them.

If you’ve ever been caught off guard by these problems and you just want to be aware of them to better prevent them, then this article is exactly what you need. Ready to find out more? Keep reading and say goodbye to some of the most common gutter issues. Safeguard your home!

1. Leaking gutters

This is a very common issue and also one that can wreak havoc on your property if you don’t take care of it fast. Maybe when you first notice it you’ll be like, “Oh, well, no big deal,” but this is so far away from the truth!

When you see leaking gutters, you need to take action immediately! Most of the time you’ll see water leaking from the joints or various cracks in the gutter system. At first, the problems will be minor, such as stains on the siding, but over time, if you let this matter evolve, you might end up with foundation damage and erosion.

So where should you start? First of all, it’s important to identify the leakage correctly. Then try to find the perfect gutter sealant based on the material your gutters are made of. After this, regular inspection and maintenance are a must. In case the leakage comes back more times, this is a sign that it’s time to replace that gutter or that broken joint.

2. Plants growing in gutters

Growing vegetation is a problem that will always appear sooner or later, so you should be prepared for it. Algae, moss, or smaller plants can easily make a home in your gutters, and even if they enjoy it, this is not the best for your house.

Maybe at first glance, they don’t seem like causing any trouble, but over time the roots of these plants can cause blockages. Also, they keep the water’s humidity, which leads to rust and corrosion. So, it’s clear that plants should not be growing in your gutters!

Ok, now that we know that this is a huge problem, how do we deal with it? Cleaning your gutters every so often is a good idea, but most of the time this is not enough. Hopefully, there is a tailored solution for this problem, and that is gutter guards!

Maybe this will not help you with the algae, but you can be sure you will no longer get leaves in your gutter system. This will keep the gutters cleaner, and it will not cost you a fortune. Yes, you’ll need to install them, but after that, things should run smoothly.

3. Ice dams

When winter is knocking on your door, this is the moment when you realize that this might be a problem. This happens every year, and most of the time people forget about this during the spring and summer, but as soon as the weather gets a little chilly, they realize they should do something about it.

Ice dams are no fun. They are dangerous, and they appear in colder climates when the snow from the roof melts and then it freezes at the edge of your roof, most of the time within the gutters.

Besides the fact that they can hurt anyone who is in their way, ice dams can also cause flooding in your attic, which may lead to insulation damage and mold problems.

To fix ice dams, you should first remove them in a safe manner and then make sure you reduce the chances of them coming back. One of the main causes they appear is the poor insulation of your attic. The trick is to have a cold roof.

Also, clean your roof after every consistent snowfall, because this can minimize the chance of ice dams forming on your gutters.

4. Sagging gutters

As you would expect, over time, gutters are affected by a multitude of factors, and this can lead to sagging. This is a normal effect, and most of the time it is caused by the accumulation of debris. Leaves, standing water, twigs—all of them put weight on the gutter system and, in the end, will cause sagging.

So, at the beginning, you will need to clean the gutters and make sure there is no debris left. After that, keep in mind that the hardware that keeps the gutter system fixed is now weak and you will need to repair or replace it. Sometimes they are too spaced out, or you simply have to fasten them from time to time.

If you need to replace them, don’t panic. You can do this by yourself, and hangers and fasteners are generally cheap, costing between $10 and $1. $10 for one hanger and $1 for a fastener.

5. Damaged fascia

The fascia board is the horizontal wooden board that runs along your home’s roof line. This is an essential part of the roof structure and acts as a protective barrier for the roof and the interior of the house by blocking water from entering the roof structure.

Most people when they are installing their gutter system will attach it to the fascia. Unfortunately, since this is a wooden piece, the natural elements, such as rain, snow, and wind, will damage it over time. Considering that your gutter system is attached to it, it is obvious that this will cause some problems.

The structure of the roof itself will be affected, and this can lead to water infiltrations inside the home and further roof damage. Generally, this happens when there is too much moisture.

What is advised to do next is to replace the damaged roof fascia. Remove the affected sections and replace them with a new and rot-resistant board. Also, be sure that you are keeping the gutter system in the best condition possible.

6. Backflow

This is another common issue, and it manifests as the water in the gutters of your house flows in the opposite direction. Instead of going down, as it should, the water will fill the gutters and go over the edge.

So, what causes this strange event? Generally, when there is a blockage, water will not be able to travel downstream, so it will go up, and this is how backflow appears.

When there is too much water that is flowing over the edge, this can affect the structure of the house from the roof to the foundation and basement. Nobody wants to deal with something like this because there is a lot of work to do and you will need to spend a fortune.

The only solution for backflow will be to identify the blockage and take care of it. This is the solution to make sure the stream of water goes in the correct direction and will also optimize the gutter’s slope.

Do you want to install gutter guards? No problem! You’re covered: NEW Raised Stainless-Steel Screen Technology Gutter Cover, DIY Constructed. Fits any Traditional 5-inch Gutter – 48FT Kit

You should also read: Renovating 101: 8 Things Americans MUST Know About Contractors

For some people, a deck would be a dream come true. No matter what your dream backyard looks like, sometimes a deck is the best choice for all your backyard issues.

You can make it a get-together place, a BBQ spot, and even a play area if you need it.

Not to mention, if you ever end up deciding to sell the home, then a deck may be what helps you get a bit more money than you anticipated since it becomes a big selling point to many.

What’s more, it can actually become a bigger selling point than a sunroom or a new fence.

Many backyard features can increase home value, but a deck is one of the best.

To be able to get a return on your investment, how much more can you get, and what things you should consider before you gear up for this DIY and make one yourself, keep on reading!

Have you been dreaming of having a deck? Would you pick it up as a DIY project for your home? Share your stories in the comments!

Is it worth adding a deck to your home?

The best and shortest answer is “yes.” It is definitely worth it. Even better, it is one of the best ways to add livability (meaning square footage) to your home in a practical and cost-efficient way.

People who have gone on to add a deck to their home have ended up with a recoup of their initial investment of about 76%, which makes it one of the most lucrative home improvement projects that you can do.

What’s more, research has shown that on average, adding a deck to your home can cost you up to $13,000, with the resale value of the home with a deck being $11,000.

Not only is it going to increase the value of your home, but it can be an amazing amenity to have for friends and family.

If you enjoy the outdoors, then you can definitely benefit from building a deck for the quality of life of your home and family!

If you are ready to be able to create a ton of memories with your loved ones on the deck, it’s time to start thinking about how you are going to do it.

Be it that you hire a contractor or you pick this up as a DIY project, you should probably be careful how you go about it!

Keep on reading to discover what can happen if you do not do things properly!

Do you need a permit to build a deck?

One thing that people do not think about when they want to DIY a deck in their yard is that they may need a building permit to do this legally.

Building a deck means that you will have to attach it to your deck; however, this comes along with some height and size limits that may need to be respected. If you end up not doing things right, you could get in trouble.

If you end up going down the contractor route, you should check with them so they comply with the zoning and local building codes. Otherwise, if you want to try to build it yourself, you will need to check it yourself so that you can be in regulation and stay safe.

Getting a permit will help you prioritize your safety and make sure that your deck will be secure and sturdy for everyone who will use it and even for future homeowners if you ever decide to sell.

What’s more, you will be able to see what the requirements are for your particular location; after all, you will need to follow different safety and environmental needs in Colorado when compared to Florida.

If you’re in a homeowners association (HOA), you may end up needing one as required by them and the various rules of the association.

Not to mention if you build one without a permit and there are any safety issues, you may end up being fined for not using a permit, and your project will be stalled until you end up getting one.

In the end, you will need to get one if you ever think about maybe selling the home. If you sell it and you do not have a permit for the deck building, even if it was completed years before, you may not be able to sell your home to some people.

Lenders end up not approving mortgages on homes that had work done without permits, so you may not be able to sell at the value you want, find a buyer, and even end up having to destroy the deck in the long run.

Likewise, other types of projects will need permits. This includes the likes of:

• new roofing;
• patios;
• sheds;
• balconies.

If you plan on building a detached deck that is less than 200 square feet and less than 30 inches above grade, you may be able to get away without a permit, but it all depends on your local regulations, so be sure you check them before you start any sort of building!

What if I do not get a permit?

Homeowners who still end up choosing to build a deck without any sort of permit can expect to be subjected to lawsuits, fines, and even the demolishing of their newly built structure.

While no one expects the police to knock on their door for something like this, it is more common than you may think.

Your city can find out about unpermitted work being done on your property from neighbors who report it (most of the time due to the noise created), other projects that you may want to do that require an inspector to visit the property, or annual tax assessments of your property, so never expect you can get away with it.

Not to mention, if you end up having any sort of safety issues and accidents due to the building, then you can say goodbye to any sort of help from your insurance company.

The company will not cover any sort of cost if your deck has not been inspected and built without a permit.

We have already mentioned the selling issue if you have an unpermitted deck, so we will not hash it out again.

Know that you can get a retroactive permit, but you will have to pay extra for it and get the home inspected before you can sell, which can also show that the deck may have been unsafely built, and it can lead to more money spent on it to get it up to code or having to destroy it.

So get your permit if you want to build a deck and if you work with a contractor, ensure that they are going to get one too!

If you want to read more about how you can build a deck safely and legally and how you can maintain it once you have, we recommend you give this book on the matter a read!

And since we are discussing upping your home’s value, why not take a look at those stairs as well? There are ways that with a little DIY, you can up the value of your stairs without having to do much labor. If you are curious about what could be achieved, then read this article!

Kitchens are now a place where people like to gather. The old notion that a kitchen is just the place where you cook the food is long gone, and people prefer this room to be more cozy and comfortable for their families and their guests.

If you want a beautiful, functional, and welcoming kitchen, these renovation tips might be perfect for you! Learn how to achieve the perfect look in the most optimal way. Renovations should not be a struggle, and we are here to tell you more about how you can renovate your kitchen effectively.

These renovation tips are tested, and most people who tried them are grateful that they chose to follow them. Learn how to get the kitchen of your dreams without too much effort.

Be sure to scroll down and watch the must-see video that brings these top renovation tips to life! Get ready to transform your kitchen into the perfect blend of style and function!

1. Wide walkways

Let’s be real, no one likes a crowded kitchen. We are sure you had to deal with one before, and it’s an experience you don’t want to repeat, especially in your own kitchen.

This is why, if you have the space to do so, one of the best renovation tips is to always choose the wide walkways. Paths through a kitchen should be at least 36 inches wide! Many are not aware of this, but this is what the experts are saying.

You should be able to move around easily, so always consider all the available space and try to place everything in the correct position so that you will be able to make this space available.

2. If you have a small kitchen, lighten it up!

Ok, let’s say that you are not among the lucky ones who have a lot of space to play around and make their dream kitchen. But a small kitchen can be a very cozy place if you know how to renovate it.

Among all renovation tips, maybe one of the wisest ones is this: Got a small space? Everything should be lightened up! Dark colors make the space smaller, so make sure you are using neutrals on the walls and furniture or lighter colors.

Natural light is also extremely important, so take care of those windows and try to take advantage of them as much as possible. Make them accessible, and always let the light come in.

3. Add a pot filler

This is one of the renovation tips that is all about accessibility. Everyone wants an accessible kitchen, and if they say they don’t, they are not aware of all the advantages that come with it.

Tired of making a mess every time you have to carry a water-filled pot from the stove to the stove? We surely are, and if you want to solve this problem, a pot filler installed near the cooktop will solve this problem in no time.

This is a swing-out tap that will help you fill pots with water near where you plan to heat them, and this will reduce the risk of accidents. It will also help you get the job done quickly, so we consider it a great investment in a kitchen.

4. Outlets, outlets, outlets!

Yes, we can’t make a renovation tips list without including this one! Has this ever happened to you? To want to plug something in and then realize that there are no outlets nearby? Probably yes, and you might not want this to happen again in your new kitchen, right?

Most of the time you will have kitchen appliances around, and to power them you need outlets. Try to install some in key spots, and everything should be good.

It is hard to name something more annoying than not finding an outlet when you need one, and this is your sign to make things better this time!

Ready to get the best tips? Watch this!

5. Plan ahead

It’s great that you are considering all of these renovation tips, but are all of them possible? If you’ve never asked yourself this question, then this is the best piece of advice for you: always plan ahead. Renovations are not something you just decide to do and the next day you start working.

There are a bunch of things you should consider, from the available budget to how big the space is, and not paying attention to any of this can cost you a lot, both money and time.

Avoid this and make sure you are careful about all the renovation tips. Think about them and see if they are working out for you and your kitchen. Never start a project without some research beforehand.

6. Separate cabinetry blocks

Most of the time you see cabinetry blocks that are close to one another, and maybe this is how you imagine the standard kitchen. A row of counters on the floor, a row of cupboards above them, and this is all. This is the kitchen!

But when considering renovation tips, you should know that things can be different. This is our biggest renovation tip from this list. Things can be made in innovative ways that, besides making your kitchen look awesome, will also offer accessibility and space, two things that are essential if you want to have the perfect kitchen.

7. Your counter space is important

When thinking about a new kitchen and you want some renovation tips, one important thing you need to know is that counter space is everything. Imagine this as a “third dimension” of your kitchen after the cupboard space and the pantry space.

Counters might be the most used space in a kitchen, and you should make sure that you are going to make them big enough. Nobody likes to prepare their meals on a tiny counter, and this also can lead to accidents.

Another thing to consider is the countertop height. This should be adjusted to your height, and you can also incorporate two countertop heights in the same kitchen depending on how you plan to use them. Maybe one will be only for preparing food and the other will be there to use it as a table and eat while sitting there.

8. Don’t forget about technology

Maybe you are more old-school, but please don’t say no to technology. We understand that you can do everything on your own, but never underestimate what the new gadgets are capable of doing. It can truly change your life!

The smart kitchen concept is not new, but it’s evolving at an incredible speed. Every year there are new gadgets on the market that are waiting to become a part of your routine. The secret is that you don’t need all of them, but there are a few staple ones that can totally change your kitchen game.

Smart lighting, smart taps, smart trash—all of them are possible, and you can control most of them through Alexa. Next time you make changes to your kitchen, you can give them a try. Start small.

Starting to renovate? This might help you: CRAFTSMAN Screwdriver Set, Slotted & Phillips, 14Piece

Make sure to also read: These Organizing Hacks Will Change Small Apartments Forever

If you’ve decided to age in place or help a loved one do so, then you’re likely facing a laundry list of home improvement projects to make that dream a reality. It can all seem overwhelming, but preparing a space for aging in place doesn’t have to be as complex as it looks.

Many benefits make it well worth the effort, one of which is that many people prefer to keep living in a familiar place. But don’t forget that as you get older, it gets harder to trek up those stairs, get out of bed, in the tub, or get to that top shelf in the kitchen like you used to.

Aging in place is typically about adjusting your home environment to meet new safety, mobility, and health needs vs. moving to a facility or new home. To top it all off, it’s likely more budget-friendly than moving to an assisted living home.

Luckily, there are basic rules regarding prioritizing these projects, beginning with areas of the home that are the most prone to accidents. And we talked to a few experts on home remodeling and aging in place about the best practices for going about your to-do list.

On that note, here are 10 projects to prioritize for safety as you navigate that aging in place to-do list.

Ditch the rugs

Avoid having small throw rugs in your home since they pose tripping hazards. If you MUST keep a couple of area rugs, use a rug pad underneath them or look for options with skid-resistant backing.

Better yet, go with carpeting that enfolds the entire room. There are many excellent slip-resistant flooring surfaces that look fantastic.

Clean up the cords

Loose cords can present tripping risks. So spend some time managing them. You can easily attach sticky cord organizers to the sides of desks, nightstands, and other furniture to keep cords hidden away but easy to reach.

You can also install some cord covers on the floor to deter trips and falls for aging in place. We highly recommend labeling each cord so it’s easy to identify which device it powers.

Improve bathroom safety

If you have a walk-in shower, experts recommend changing it to a zero-clearance shower, which doesn’t have a threshold or step to trip you up. And since you’re making some changes to the bathroom, add a shower bench, too.

You should also replace your toilet with a comfort-height model, which is a couple of inches higher than usual and more accessible to sit on and get up from.

You may also want to add some strategically placed bars you can grab on to to steady yourself or pull yourself up, says a certified aging in place specialist.

Make your spaces brighter

Our eyesight usually gets worse as we age, which is why it’s a wise idea to improve the lighting around your home wherever you can.

Add some more to dark areas like hallways and stairways, plus extra task lighting in kitchens and bathrooms. You might also want to consider adding more light switches outside rooms and raising outlets to a more suitable height.

Install visual safety alerts

Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are vital for any home. But seniors may not always hear these crucial alarms. That’s why you should try to opt for detectors with prominent visual alerts, like flashing lights.

It would help if you also placed fire extinguishers in accessible locations throughout your home, especially in the kitchen and anywhere you have candles or a fireplace. You don’t want to have to go too far to grab them if there’s an emergency.

Choose low-maintenance options

When it comes time to swap out exterior materials, choosing products that require little to no maintenance, like metal roofing, vinyl siding, and composite decking, is best. These materials look great, and offer lasting performance.

Minimize your landscaping maintenance while you’re at it, as well, by choosing native plants and installing hose timers on your sprinkler system. If your finances allow it, consider hiring professionals to care for the yard.

Limit and optimize your steps

Easy access to and from your house is essential for aging in place in any home. It’s crucial for older homeowners, particularly those suffering from mobility problems. For this reason, consider creating an entry without stairs.

If you’re installing a ramp or adding decks or walkways, use nonslip materials to make it even more secure. If your home has a second floor, stairs are unavoidable but can still be made more user-friendly.

Be sure they’re covered in a carpet or slip-resistant material, and, if possible, install a second railing so you can hold on from both sides. To avoid middle-of-the-night falls, install motion-activated lighting to illuminate the stairs while you’re on them.

Make your kitchen area more convenient

Install cabinets in your kitchen with pull-out shelves on rollers so it’s easier to get the items you need. Go for drawers rather than base cabinets to make it effortless to retrieve a cabinet’s contents.

Another thing you should consider is installing your dishwasher 12 inches off the floor to reduce bending. Most importantly, install counters about 30 inches from the floor. This is a height that’s comfortable for wheelchairs or dining chairs rather than barstools.

When purchasing new appliances, pick options with reasonable accessibility. For example, front controls on stovetops and ovens are more accessible to reach than those in the back. Drawers and pull-out shelves in the fridge are easier to maneuver than bulky, heavy doors.

When planning for aging in place, you should also ensure that microwaves and other small appliances are unmoving so they won’t tip over. Finally, if you have an over-the-range microwave, we recommend replacing it with a microwave drawer or countertop model.

Create a primary bedroom on the first floor

If you’re doing a significant renovation, ensure there’s a bedroom on the lower level of your home that could become the primary bedroom in the future, says an architect. An aging in place expert says that the room can be a guest room or even a den at first.

But outfit the room so that at a future time, if you or your spouse can no longer make it up and down the stairs, you can turn the first-floor room into your primary bedroom.

Add Smart Home automation

Home automation is another critical component of aging in place modifications. Timers and sensors can monitor house systems to caution homeowners and care providers of any potential concerns.

You can also buy and install smart lighting options that include motion sensors that turn your lights on and off as you enter and leave a room, and smart locks automatically lock the front door behind you.

Voice assistants, such as Google Home and Amazon Echo Studio, can connect to many smart home automation devices so you can control them with your voice rather than pressing small buttons that are hard to access and see.

Don’t leave yet! Be sure to let us know in the comments what you think about these aging in place tips, or if we might have missed any. And if you liked this article, Crafty Captain has many more for you to enjoy.

For instance, we highly recommend you also check out: 6 Simple Home Renovations You Can Do for Under $1,000

Is there anything else more satisfying than rows of shoes lined up perfectly and clothes hung in color order? Dressing rooms were initially designed for expensive homes and owners, but today, they are becoming a MUST-HAVE for all of us, making our lives easier.

Walk-in style wardrobes are becoming more and more popular and one of the most desirable spaces within a bedroom. This kind of specially designed space in a room, helps us make the most of every inch. The personalized dressing rooms and closets offer the ultimate in luxury and the best part is probably that they can be designed for any kind of room or space, no matter the style.

All you have to do is prudently choose the company you are working with and tell them about your dream dressing room or wardrobe and the way you want it personalized and organized. Once you have done the space, it is really easy to make your closet look luxurious following these 15 easy hacks.

Did we manage to convince you? Are you already searching for the best furniture company? Or do you have the pace and just need to find out the hacks? Just continue reading.

Here is how you can make the most of your dressing room with these 10 hacks:

1 ) Plan how to lighten your dressing room

A lot of dressing rooms don’t have a window, so they lack natural light, which is really important for our overall mood. Natural light is also important when it comes to assembling our outfits. We need visibility to make sure that the shades of our items match.

If the room doesn’t have a window, make sure to install as many LEDs as possible, in the places you need them most.

2 ) Estimate your dressing room storage needs

If you are starting from scratch, you should first think about the way you want to organize the main furniture pieces. Start with the practical part before searching for color schemes and elegant wallpaper. These kinds of items become unusable if the base isn’t properly done.

3 ) Choose a sophisticated paint color or wallpaper to make the space look opulent

Choosing black or gray paint can give the space a sophisticated look, making it more elegant and chic.

But before choosing the paint, make sure you adapt it to the light system you have! If the room lacks natural light, it is not a great idea to make it even darker.

4 ) Include a vanity table

A vanity table in the dressing room is a great idea to store all our beauty products, such as creams, face masks, and makeup items. Having a little corner where we can do our routines before starting the day will have a huge impact on our perspective throughout the day.

5 ) Incorporate a specially designed seating place

A sitting place is essential, especially when we have a vanity table. Taking our time to sit relaxed and prepare for the long day we have ahead is essential if we want to successfully check our tasks.

6 ) Feel free to play with the paint colors

Have fun while choosing the paint colors! Think about the fact that nobody is watching while you are getting ready, so this is the perfect opportunity to play with your creativity! If you don’t feel inspired enough or aren’t sure about what kind of paint color you should choose, don’t worry! Wallpapers are ALSO a great idea!

7 ) Paint the ceiling

If your walls are full of furniture and storage space but you would love to have some color in your dressing room, painting the ceiling is what you need! Feel free to choose your favorite color to make your space look unique.

8 ) Use a curtain to hide clutter

If there are shelves that bother you and you don’t want to see them daily, you can obtain a curtain. It will help you hide the clutter, but it can also be a great design item that will give your space a unique look.

9 ) Use mirrors to make the space seem larger

As you probably already know, mirrors can make a place seem larger if placed in the right spot. So, a mirror in the dressing room may be needed for your everyday outfits but also for your overall design. A mirror can also be a very elegant item, making the space look more luminous and modern.

10) Keep it simple

If you lack space, the best hack for you is to keep it as simple as you can. Choose bright colors! White furniture will make the space seem larger. For the paint colors, we suggest beige or gray tones. They will give the room a sophisticated look, but they will also brighten up the space.  Don’t forget about the LEDs and the way you organize the bigger pieces of furniture because they can make a huge difference in the final aspect of the room.

Why do you need a dressing room?

A dressing room has become a very practical necessity in every home. This kind of space offers numerous benefits, such as mental health improvement and better home organization. It provides a specially designed space for storing clothes, accessories, and shoes, keeping the rest of the house free from clutter. With a personalized area for all our fashion-related items, it is much easier to keep everything in order. The organization also helps us reduce the time spent searching for seasonal items that we used to store in all kinds of dark corners of our old wardrobes.

A dressing room provides a practical space to get ready for the day that can boost our mood and productivity and also simplify the process of preparing. Having everything that we need by our side, including a mirror, makes assembling outfits easier and the entire process quicker. On a busy morning, a well-organized dressing room is all you need to start your day in a good mood.

It can also serve as a private, relaxing space, contributing to our mental health. Dressing rooms provide a space where daily routines can take place without any unpleasant distractions.

Can a dressing room increase a property’s market value?

Of course! A dressing room can significantly increase a property’s value because potential buyers get more and more interested in having a well-designed space to place their items.

It allows individuals to access all their fashion-related items at once. The visibility can reduce purchases that are not needed, making it easier to combine the items that we already own in creative, new ways.

On Amazon, you can find a clear bin plastic organizer where you can store all of your beauty products, such as creams, face masks, and makeup. It is really useful and can be placed on a vanity table in the dressing room, making all the products easy to find and use. The organizer is made in the USA and comes in different sizes, making it fit effortlessly in any kind of space. It’s really affordable! Purchase it and come back later, in the comment section, to tell us about how your organizing process went. Good luck!

Also, before leaving, here is another related article from Crafty Captain. It is about 6 simple home decorations you can do for under 1,000$.