A home may occasionally need upgrades, repairs, or something new to amp up the space. But many often refrain from getting the work started because of a limited budget. Thankfully, there are numerous DIY home improvement hacks that one can try without the help of a professional. If you want to make a few minor adjustments to various regions of your home, try these 11 easy and inexpensive hacks today. Paint the front door The front door is the first thing guests see before entering your home. So painting it with a bright door color that is welcoming may help make a good impression and improve the look of your house. All you would need for this home improvement job is a paintbrush and a paint of your choice. You could also hang a few ornaments on the door or place them on the ground to make the entrance attractive. Paint the doorknobs A lot of homeowners tend to replace old doorknobs with new ones. While it may not look like it, replacing multiple knobs can cost a great deal of money. And let us not forget the matching hinges and door latches that may also need replacement. To save money, you could paint the knobs of all the doors at home.

The grass can be greener where you want it to be! Learning to take care of your lawn appropriately and maintaining it can help you create a lusher, greener yard for hosting cookouts, picnics, barbecues, or a relaxing yard for you and your loved ones. You can take some quick, easy steps to avoid faded or dead patches and create the lawn of your dreams. Check out nine ways to maintain a green lawn. Test the soil To create a vibrant green yard, you must start by caring for the most critical factor – the soil. Since grass needs nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus to thrive, it is important to ensure your soil is enriched with them. To ensure the best grass growth, it is also important to have a soil pH level of 5.5 to 6.5. Using a home soil test kit or hiring an agency can help you take the guesswork out of soil profiling. These tests usually cost around $20 and are the foundation of a beautiful, well-nourished lawn. Aerate the lawn If your lawn is used to a lot of walking and trundling by your children or pets, it may be wise to aerate it before planting any grass.

Like most tasks, cleaning is something that is learned and perfected gradually. This is why making mistakes is inevitable when one goes about cleaning their house. Moreover, cleaning seems fairly straightforward. So, certain wrong cleaning practices that people have been using for many years may seem fine on the surface. However, such mistakes may cause issues in the long run on the surfaces being cleaned. Some of the most common cleaning mistakes are listed here: Washing windows on a sunny day Washing windows may seem like something one could do at any time throughout the day. However, washing them on a bright and sunny day is a bad idea for multiple reasons. For instance, spraying cleaner on dirty windows on a hot and dry day only makes the spray evaporate quickly. This ends up leaving patches and streaks on the window’s glass surface. Such patches may not be visible immediately but can be seen later. As a result, cleaning windows with sprays on a sunny day will make it necessary to clean them again later. To avoid this tiresome and repetitive process, one can wait until sundown or clean the windows when the weather is cloudy. One can use effective and reliable cleaners such as Clorox Pine-Sol to clean windows.

The real estate market is constantly evolving, making things difficult for buyers. In this situation, people often turn to home renovation plans instead of buying a new property. With a few hours of research, learning, and decision-making, one can execute the plan well. And even after all that, there are chances one might make mistakes. Instead, learn from the mistakes of people that took this route. Following are the common renovation mistakes to avoid. Improper budgeting A house with all its corners standing out as if they have been pulled right out of Pinterest is a dream everyone has. You want a patio that comes with all the bells and whistles. A backyard full of a pool, sun deck, pool chairs, and even a jacuzzi if space permits. Renovating your house and adding in all the bells and whistles is a tempting concept, but you need to take into consideration the costs. As much as you want to live in a house that could be plastered all across flashy magazines, first, take a look at the amount you can spare for home renovation plans. Divide the amount into sections of the house you want to renovate or distribute based on the required materials.

Homeowners looking for ways to enhance the security of their house would find home security cameras an ideal solution offering peace of mind. These safety systems help prevent crime by detecting unwanted intrusions inside a property and alerting the owner. However, installing security cameras in the wrong spots will render them useless. Therefore, to ensure your home security camera functions properly, explore some of the wrong spots to avoid while installing them below. Worst places to install home security cameras One can easily install a home security camera on their premises with or without professional assistance, and that too, in any spot of one’s choice. However, that alone does not guarantee safety from malicious entities like burglars. Therefore, it is equally important to be aware of the wrong areas to avoid while installing these security systems. A few such spots are listed below. Facing the home or yard of neighbors The first thing you should avoid while installing home security cameras is positioning them in a way that will capture your neighbors’ property. For instance, if the security camera is pointed over the fence, it will lead to a conflict between you and your neighbors in the long run. Moreover, when the camera points at a space that isn’t part of your property, it will not help avoid the breach in your own home.

It doesn’t matter how often you do it; cleaning the toilet and washroom areas will remain unpleasant. This task is your responsibility unless you can afford to hire professional cleaning services that charge hundreds of dollars. But you can do a few things better than your last time cleaning the toilet to save time and effort. All you need to do is avoid the following mistakes while cleaning and scrubbing your toilet: Failing to remove any clutter It is important to move things around before you start cleaning anywhere. Start by clearing out loose bins for collecting the dirty laundry, tackling the cabinets filled with toiletries, and removing any other accessories that you keep inside the washroom. It’s only possible to ensure thorough cleanliness when there is space to move around and reach inaccessible places due to the clutter. This is also an excellent time to check for used and expired products and declutter the cabinets. Decluttering itself is a major cleaning task that will save you a lot of hassle. Simply restock the necessities once the cleaning is done. Failing to make a plan You need to outline each task and evaluate the best way to execute it without creating additional side tasks.

Summer is the typical time for relaxing picnics and barbecues. Many people take on outdoor cooking and grilling adventures during family and friendly gatherings. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, there are seemingly endless BBQ events serving up delicious foods such as steaks, burgers, shrimp, potatoes, onions, fish, pineapple, tofu, and more. If you are setting up an outdoor cooking station in your backyard, avoid making these 15 common outdoor cooking mistakes: Not testing your equipment beforehand Do a test run with your BBQ grill before you invite your friends and family over! This will allow you to test your equipment and even plan some fun yet easy grill recipes for later. If you plan on carrying your stove or grill for a camping adventure, you will also have a better chance of investing in new equipment and reducing the risk of mishaps. Not cleaning the grill Before using a grill, be sure to clean it. This is because leftover bits and pieces of charred foods can impact the flavor of your next meal. This residue can also be unhealthy to consume. Once you are done cooking and the grill has cooled, scrape off large pieces of residue with a spatula or a knife.

Cleaning and maintaining a hygienic bathroom is a top priority for every homeowner. Among the many bathroom fixtures, the shower requires regular cleaning to prevent the buildup of soap scum and grime. However, with various options available on the market, choosing the right shower cleaner for the bathroom can be a daunting task. To aid the purchasing process, here are some handy tips to keep in mind while buying bathroom shower cleaners. Consider the shower surface The first and most crucial step in choosing a bathroom shower cleaner is to consider the type of surface one has. This is because showers can be made of various materials such as tile, glass, acrylic, or fiberglass. This means different surfaces may require specific types of cleaners to avoid damage. For example, abrasive cleaners may scratch glass surfaces, while harsh chemicals can discolor acrylic or fiberglass. So buyers are suggested to always read the manufacturer’s guidelines and choose a cleaner that is compatible with their shower surface to prevent any unintended damage. Assess the severity of the stains Not all shower stains are created equal. Some showers may have minor soap scum and hard water stains, while others may be plagued with stubborn mold and mildew.