Simple Home Improvements that Increase Value and convenience!

I have owned my first home now over 10 years! 

While the market and other conditions have been challenging the last 10 years, I do feel it is a fantastic investment! 

Part of owning a home is to make it your own. 

Projects and changes that not only save money by doing them yourself but yield a personal touch as well can be fun and fulfilling!!

So a while back I discovered the Home Depot Do It Herself series of hands on tutorials and instructions!! 

I know what the title says but of course it's open to men as well!! 
Here is a rundown of the few that I have attended!!

Martha Stewart Paint and Stencil - This workshop highlighted the different paints and effect paint offered by the Martha Stewart Home Collection. We got to pick stencils and sponge, paint and try different effects by layering different products! The giveaway was a frame that I personally applied red paint to and then a white antique crackle over that when dried allowed the red to peek through!! It was a fun FREE project that yielded a great keepsake! (I'm more into mechanical fixes but I thought it was something fun that I wouldn't necessarily do on my own!!)

Tile Application - This one I LOVED!!! Not only did they go through the list of items you'd need for a project, the calculations, the products they have to offer, but they also had a hands on workplace!! So I practiced with the grout and tile spacers and built a great deal of confidence! The best part is being able to ask questions. Many were there for information on tiling a kitchen counter or bathroom but I want to tile over my brick fireplace! The instructors had a wealth of knowledge and gave me step by step instructions on how to tile the fireplace while preserving the original 1951 brick underneath in case I or a future buyer preferred that look!

Herb Garden - Again, hands on with great questions and answers on irrigation, placement and timing! Basically they highlighted the key herbs mostly used in the kitchen, where and when to plant them and general care! I have 2 other friends that now have thriving herb gardens from this FREE class!!

Rustoleum Cabinet Update - This was interesting, they now have prodects where you can basically give your kitchen cabinets a facelift by 'painting' them! But the formulas now are balanced for humidity, shrinkage and expansion and feature opaque options as well as sheer to still see the wood grain after application! I'm very interested in this one but have yet to dive into this project on my own home!

What's coming up?

I am SO EXCITED, the next one is March 21st and it's Energy Efficient Sensors and Dimmers!!! This is an economical upgrade to your home! Not only does it add convenience and allow a sanitary hands free option to turning lights on and off, it saves money as well! Most motion detector timers allow you to adjust them to turn off 30 seconds to half an hour after motion is no longer sensed! The switches themselves help to give your home a more updated and modernized feel!! I personally have a SmartHome system that allows me to have lights, appliances and functions turn on and off at a predetermined time or by my cell phone/computer. It helps create variety and make your home look occupied when it may indeed be empty, offering extra security! I love having a light or two turn on at dusk but I really like walking into a room and having the lights turn on by themselves!!

**** BONUS NOTE:  When you attend these workshops, they usually give you a discount valid for the day of the workshop so for a bit of time on a project you are already considering, it's a great value to save money on your home improvement!!!!

See their website for more details and upcoming workshops!!! Do It Herself Workshops