Some jobs are easy for a properly-prepared homeowner to handle, but some require expert assistance. This article should help you determine what types of repairs you can do yourself, cheaply and easily, and what types of improvement projects require specialized skills.

Replacing the hardware in your home such as doorknobs, hinges, pulls, light fixtures, etc, can transform a home from one era to another. It is a quick and easy way to make your home look newer and more updated just by switching out these little details. Brushed nickel and copper are great new trends that will spice up your look.

If you have watercolor paintings hanging in your home, try to place them where they do not receive direct sunlight. The sun, or any bright light, will cause the colors to fade over time. Your treasured paintings may lose their vibrancy–and value. Keeping them out of the sunlight will help preserve their colors.

Want to save a coat or two of paint? When you paint wood or drywall that needs to be primed first tint the primer to match your final paint color. By tinting the primer you will reduce the amount of coats you need to paint the surface by a coat or two.

You can make simple art for your wall by purchasing some solid colored picture frames and tearing out pictures from old children’s books. Illustrations from the likes of Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz and so on are very popular. They make great old fashioned wall art, and add a touch of personality to your home.

You should always wear safety glasses or goggles when cutting with a saw or other powered equipment. If you do not wear protective equipment for your eyes pieces of the material you are cutting or dust can become lodged in your eye or cause irritation. In severe cases permanent damage can be done to your eye.

The shingles on your roof will at some point need to be replaced. As asphalt shingles get older, they start to lose the bound granules and curl up on the corners of the sheets. If you are experiencing leaks that have gone through the ceiling, then it is definitely time to lay down a new roof. Otherwise, if your roof has lost several shingles, this is a less drastic but firm indication that it’s time to replace the roof.

You do not always need to rely on store-bought art pieces to dress up walls; instead, look for interesting and unusual wall hangings such as three-dimensional tiles. You can use wall decals that come in thousands of different designs that will fit any budget.

If you are doing any brick work, it is smart to buy extras. You may run into unexpected problems that necessitate the use of a few extras. The styles of bricks come in and out of fashion. To avoid problems with brick-matching in the future, create a store of extra original blocks, so you have replacments when needed.

If you are new to home improvement projects, you may need to seek the assistance or advice of a professional. Follow the guidelines that are outlined in this article and realize that not every home improvement job is a DIY.