Have you and your family decided not to take any big trips this summer? That is totally okay! That means more time around the house so you can finally get to those projects that have been hanging over your head for the last few months. If you have an extra 12, 24 or 48 hours of free time in a long weekend provides all you need to reenergize, refuel, and recommit to that straggler project on your to-do list.
Devoting your time off to tackling a highly anticipated home upgrade or a lengthier maintenance project can pay off all summer long. Squeeze any of these summer projects into your time off, and every weekend to come will feel more relaxing.
Painting Interior Trim
A quick and easy way to get a whole-room update is to paint your trim. Painting baseboards, chair rail, window trim, and crown molding in either complementary or contrasting tones to your walls really can wake up ordinary rooms and hallways. Start off with a liquid sanding product so that the new paint adheres well. Then apply two of three light coats of interior latex enamel paint, allowing a full day of drying time between each. For an ultra-smooth finish, buff lightly with micro-grit sandpaper and follow with tach cloth before each successive coat.
Backyard fire pit
Extend your outdoor hangout time by offering light and heat into the evenings is one you won’t regret – especially when it’s too easy to skip. The fire pit doesn’t have to be a large, lavish model to be a place for guests to hang out. In fact, you can assemble an attractive one in just a day from a kit with no-cut blocks from your home improvement store. Then stack the blocks end-to-end to form a perfect circle, then stack them two or three high and slip on an iron fire pit ring. Prepare for your patio to be the hottest spot in the neighborhood!
Organizing the Garage
A couple extra hours are all you need to take all that garage clutter and turn it into an organized and functional space. Here are a few storage strategies to take advantage of:
- Attach wall brackets to hold lawn tools and folding chairs.
- Install ceiling hooks to hang bicycles.
- Suspend shelves from above to store scrap project under lumber and large plastic bins.
- Wherever there’s a blank wall, hang pegboard and a slew of hooks to sort out your small hand tools.
Most importantly, think in sections. Designate one area for gardening items, another for tools, and additional zones for various hobbies. That way, when you need something, you’ll be able to find it and return it when you are done.
Replacing worn window screens
A soft breeze through the bedroom window can be most refreshing on a cool summer night – but not if every bug can come through the ripped screen into your space. Ripped screens are something that can hinder the exterior appearance of your house as well. Replacing those damaged, torn screen is an inexpensive, easy way to improve the interior feel of your house and the exterior look.