Every homeowner knows that a home is both expensive and takes hard work. In fact, as much as 1 to 3 percent of the total home value should be reinvested in the form of home improvement projects and repairs. This article will give you some useful advice on how to transform your home as cheaply as possible!

If your plans for your home involve significant renovations or remodeling, it is typically best to hire an architect or professional designer. Without specialized training in designing living spaces, your own ideas may lack the necessary details to allow your home to function optimally. Professionals have the skills necessary to develop smart plans that conform to area building codes.

Be sure and regularly clean out your air conditioning filter. If the filter gets clogged up, the air conditioning unit will have to work harder to cool your house, using up more energy. It also means that the unit runs longer than it really needs to. Each month, switch out the filter to avoid problems.

If your budget will allow it, opt for real wood floors instead of laminate. While laminate is more cost effective and easy to clean, you can not refinish it. Having real wood floors means that in a decade or two, you or the new home owner will have the option of refinishing instead of replacing the floor.

If you are replacing your baseboards, consider using stained boards, which are more appealing than painted ones. The classic look of finished wood complements virtually any home decor style. Stained baseboards also hide imperfections better. Scratches and scuffs don’t stand out as much as they would on painted baseboards. With the large selection of stains to choose from, you can match your baseboard to any color decor.

You can update your appliances in the kitchen with a little money. You shouldn’t have to replace appliances just because they aren’t the color that you want. You can buy some very affordable appliance spray paint and paint your appliances any color of your choosing. This can give your kitchen a more modern appearance in just one day.

If you’re purchasing new furniture, it’s best to avoid pieces that have busy upholstery. Upholstery with complex patterns such as floral prints or geometric shapes will make it hard for you to find decor that matches. Buy your furniture in solid tones such as green, brown, blue, black or beige and use your accessories to benefit your furniture. Experiment with different pattern combinations with your pillows and throws.

As you tackle home improvements, be mindful to observe your surroundings, making sure to do just those projects that are sensible. It might not make any sense to put a pool in Alaska, etc. Stick with the things that are wanted and keep your projects acceptable to the climate in which your home is in.

Now that you’ve come to the end of this article, you’re more likely to improve your home without damaging your budget. When you choose good home improvement projects and handle them well, you can significantly boost the value, comfort, and appeal of your home without spending huge sums of money.