Home improvement projects can be fun and rewarding. If you don’t have a lot of experience in home planning or maintenance, you can definitely use the help from this article in executing your projects. Keep these tips in mind and you will find that you are capable of accomplishing great things.

Always insist on references before hiring a contractor to work on your home improvement project. Make sure your potential contractor is properly licensed to perform the work in question. Hiring a professional is worth the money to give you peace of mind that the job is done right the first time.

Pouring bleach on the inside of the toilet bowl can help keep it sparkling clean. Bleach has a strong smell, but it is terribly effective at killing germs. Bleach with scent can also control the odor.

Focus on exterior lighting for your next home improvement project. Installing an outdoor motion detector is a good choice; the sensor will ensure that the light only comes on when you need it to. Not only does this save you money on energy bills, but the motion detector is also a good security feature. It alerts you if anyone is walking around your property.

Purchase draft excluders or sealant strips to stop air from getting out. Draft excluders fit underneath a door and stop hot air from leaking out and cold air from leaking in. There is sealant stripping that can fit around a door frame, which will accomplish the same thing. You can purchase these at most hardware stores.

Tailoring pillows to suit a teenager’s tastes is not that hard. Grab some clothes such as jeans that no longer fit or old band shirts; cut up your pieces to fit the desired pillows and sew the pieces together. This gives a little splash of personality to a teen’s room.

When you are preparing to sell your home, set up your rooms in a way that defines the space. Family rooms, dens and any other rooms should have all the appropriate furniture. Potential buyers will be able to get a better grasp of the space’s purpose and come up with compelling ways they could use it themselves. Well defined spaces makes a house attractive, and it will be easier to sell.

If you have a lot of cords hanging out of your entertainment stands then you know what a pain and unsightly view cords can be. You can easily clean up your mess by using Velcro tape, which is widely available, at most stores for about $5. Roll up the unused portions of your cord and hold them together with the Velcro tape for a clean and tidy look.

If your room feels plain, add interest to it by choosing a heavily patterned rug. Stripes (horizontal or vertical), polka dots and swirls always make for a bold statement in your room. Don’t be afraid to try new things, even if at first glance they don’t match. Try small swatches of a design before you purchase the full product to make sure you like it.

Completed home improvement projects increase the value or your home as well as how you feel about your home. If you are unfamiliar with home improvement work, or even if you are fairly experienced, this article can help you with your project.