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~5272 Outville Rd.~

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Easy DIY projects that spruce up a home in no time

(BPT) - Give Dad a break from his "to do" list and instead handle some of those easier DIY tasks for him. From simple fixes to bigger projects, sometimes all you need is the right tool at the right time to get the job done.



Here are some helpful ideas to get you started.



Fix that door that won't stay open: Having a door that shuts when you want it to stay open can be a real annoyance. Try tightening the screws on the top door hinge with a power screwdriver like the new 360 Quick-Select from SKIL. This tool comes with 12 of the most commonly used screwdriver bits in a rotating compartment located at the front of the tool so you don't have to put your project on hold to switch bits.



Put together a ready-to-assemble (RTA) piece of furniture: RTA furniture looks like an easy project in the store, but once you get it home it can quickly get the best of you. But with a little patience and the right tool, the project can provide self-satisfaction besides a new piece of furniture. In fact, using a power screwdriver can help eliminate frustration and get the project finished even faster, plus you'll know each screw is secure to avoid anything falling apart later.



Give old furniture a new life: If the office desk is looking shabby (or maybe it's a table or dresser), give it an easy makeover. Use sandpaper to take off old varnish and help the new paint adhere to the piece. Wipe off any dust with a clean dry cloth, then apply 1-2 coats of fresh paint with a brush, roller or spray can. Let the paint dry thoroughly then seal with a coat of Polyurethane for a protective finish.



Update ceiling fixtures: Most of us don't realize how ceiling fixtures can quickly change the look of a room. Always turn the power to the circuit off before changing a fixture. Remove the old fixture by unscrewing the cover plate and disconnecting the electrical wires. Reconnect the new fixture according to the directions included in the box. Using a lightweight power screwdriver for this project will prevent your arms from getting tired while working above your head.



Day to day repairs: Keeping a power screwdriver in the kitchen drawer will let you make those little repairs as they happen. So when that drawer knob or towel bar comes loose again because the kids are forever pulling on them too hard, grab the power screwdriver out of the draw and get it fixed on the spot. Lithium ion batteries can stay charged for up to 18 months so the power screwdriver will be charged and ready when you need it.



SKIL Tools has all the tools you need to complete at-home projects whether you're a beginner or have advanced skills. Visit www.SKILTools.com/360 for information on the new 360 Quick-Select, and take advantage of the Where to Buy feature.

Go-big upgrades that can help a lingering home sell at last

(BPT) - Everyone knows spring and summer are the best months in which to sell a home. If your house has lingered on the market, you may be eager to find ways to freshen its appeal for potential buyers. Perhaps you're even ready to go big and invest in upgrades that will improve the home's value, curb appeal and interior allure so much that potential buyers just won't be able to walk away from it.



If you're at that point, first figure out how much you can reasonably invest. Will the improvement increase your home value enough to allow you to recoup its cost? Maybe not, but if your priority is a faster sale, return on investment might have a different meaning for you.



Next, look at areas of your home where improvements will have the biggest impact - spots that are the least appealing or those that have the most appeal. Upgrading a less-than-great room can bring it up to snuff, but upgrading a good room could make it absolutely smashing. For example, painting a small bathroom in a bright color could make that cramped space feel bigger. Adding a skylight to your kitchen, bath, or other area in your home however, will really make a splash with abundant natural light and fresh air.



Here's a room-by-room game plan for high-impact upgrades that could make buyers fall in love with your home:



Anywhere



Buyers are, universally, looking for beauty and value. Any improvement that gives both can directly impact your ability to sell your home. Adding a skylight is a great way to enhance a home's visual appeal, livability and energy efficiency while improving indoor air quality by introducing much needed fresh air into the home.



Natural light can make a small room look bigger and brighter, and create a more healthful environment. Adding a traditional or tubular skylight to any room in the house brings more natural light into your home. Plus, Energy Star-qualified, solar-powered fresh-air skylights, like those made by Velux America, can provide fresh air through cost-efficient passive ventilation to reduce humidity and stale air, and heating, cooling and lighting costs. Add remote-controlled, solar powered blinds, and you can boost a skylight's energy efficiency by 39 percent, Velux states.



Finally, this is one high impact investment that can actually put cash back in your pocket. Installation of energy-efficient no leak solar powered fresh air skylights and blinds can qualify you for up to a 30 percent federal tax credit on the -products and installation costs. Visit www.veluxusa.com to learn more and calculate your tax credit for new or replacement skylights.



Kitchen and bathroom



Any Realtor will tell you great kitchens and bathrooms can sell a house. If yours are only so-so, they could be what's standing in the way of getting an offer. If you've already done the basics - cleaning and decluttering, repainting and replacing dated cabinet hardware - it may be time to pull out the big guns.



New appliances and fixtures will cost you a few thousand, but can go a long way toward wooing buyers. New appliances look great, are more energy-efficient, and provide buyers the peace of mind knowing they won't face repair or replacement costs any time soon. New fixtures such as rainfall shower heads and touch-free faucets add an element of luxury to the most common bathroom.



Adding a tile backsplash or new wood-look laminate flooring in the kitchen, and new tile floor in the bath can also create a big impact - and for less money if you do the work yourself. Replacing lower-quality or older countertops is also an eye-catching upgrade. The trick is to find the improvement that will have the biggest visual impact in your space.



Living room/family



When buyers enter your home, chances are the living room or family room will be one of the first rooms they see. Their impression of that room can set the tone for how they perceive the rest of the house. Again, assuming you've done the basics - painting, window treatments and accessories - a major upgrade in this room can have a winning impact.



If your home already has a fireplace, take a close look at it. What can you do to make it more appealing? Does it need a new facade? Larger gas logs or a better blower? Can you upgrade the mantel? If your home lacks a fireplace, adding one can be a great selling point. It's possible to add a gas fireplace for less than $5,000 in most homes. Adding a gas insert to a wood-burning fireplace is even cheaper.

Replacing ceiling lights is easy and affordable

Changing your ceiling lights is a great way to improve the look and feel of your space and you have more options than ever before in terms of selection and price. Most projects will only take a little bit of your time, even if you're a DIY novice, and they really do make a big impact on the level of comfort people will experience in your home.



Changing out an old ceiling light to a new one is easy and only takes seconds. Underneath the cover, at the base of the lamp will be a couple of screws that hold it to the ceiling. After turning off power to the room, unscrew the unit and detach the wires from it. Once you do this, you can simply reattach the new ceiling light, restore the power and enjoy a whole new effect in the room. It really is that simple for most installations, so the only thing to seriously consider is the look you want your light to give off.



One option is to also install a dimmer switch. This is also a simple procedure, and the switch is very inexpensive and can be found in almost any lighting accessory retail location as well as online at your favorite dealer. This will allow you to control the brightness of your ceiling lights, and is perfect for areas such as the dining room, study or even the bedroom.



Chandeliers are a great way to accentuate rooms that have high ceilings, but they can also be small enough to fit over any existing fixture. Whether you are looking to use a chandelier as the focal centerpiece in an entryway or a small accessory for the dining room, there are plenty of models to choose from, and the designs can range from contemporary to classical. The only thing to remember is that your ceiling will need to support the weight of the chandelier, so it is very important to know what those limits are before installing a new piece. You may need to reinforce the mounts or consider an alternative that is less heavy.



If you do install a chandelier in a room it's also worth considering placing a large mirror on one wall, this will give the impression of greater space in the room and will accentuate the impact of the chandelier.



Ceiling fans are also exceptionally beautiful and can add a lot to a room, especially kitchens and bedrooms. Most come with or without light fixtures, and you have the option of choosing a simple fan or one with a light attachment. A double benefit of having circulating air as well as light is that it can make a stuffy or crowded room much more pleasant to be in. Just as easy to install as replacement ceiling lights, it can be a simple weekend project that most people can do in about an hour. Finding the right one will depend on need, space and personal taste.



Whether looking for ceiling lights or fans, there is a wide selection to choose from for prices you won't find in traditional stores. A trusted online retailer should be a one stop resource for not only products, but for service and coaching as well. If you have a project, you can find a lighting accessory retailer that can help you to transform any space into an inviting place. Just give yourself some extra time for your order to be shipped.



Styles don't last forever, and changing ceiling lights is easier and less expensive than most people think. From simply replacing a cover to switching to a whole new light entirely, there are more options than ever to transform that dull room into a luminescent space that is warm, inviting and comfortable. Whether you want to install ceiling fans or chandelier lights, there are many design options to choose from, and knowing what the effect is that you want to create will help you to make satisfying choices.