Dig out that touch-up paint and rotate that mattress in
preparation for the lazy days of summer May is a month for getting outdoors, firing up the grill and
celebrating. Take advantage of milder spring days and schedule some home
improvements this month, so you’ll be ready to savor those barbecues and
evenings on the porch. From having your house painted to cleaning out the shed,
here are 12 tips and ideas for a fabulous month.
Consider having your house painted. Spring, with its milder
weather in many regions, is a good time to paint your house. If you’re looking
to hire a house painter, ask friends and neighbors for recommendations, ask us
about our service directory, search online and, as always, check references
before hiring a pro.
Check irrigation systems. It can be disastrous to
find out too late that your irrigation system has a clog or leak. Turn on each
hose and irrigation system and check that it is working properly.
Clean gutters and downspouts. Remove leaves and debris
left by winter storms from rain gutters and make sure downspouts are clear.
Clean and repair screen
doors and windows. A
mosquito can sneak in through even the tiniest tear in a window screen. Keep
bugs out by carefully checking each screen (including doors) as you clean them,
and patch up holes and tears.
Check your yard for fire
hazards. Keeping landscaping away from the sides of your home is a
good first step.
Check safety devices. Test the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your
home and replace batteries as needed. Check fire extinguishers.
Maintain heating and cooling
systems. Change the filters on window air conditioning units. If you
have central air, have a pro come out to service the system. Schedule a
cleaning for your heating system.
Refresh bedrooms. Rotate mattresses and flip them if possible. Swap heavy
winter bedding for lighter quilts and blankets; have winter bedding laundered
before storing. Clear clutter from under the bed, in and around bedside tables
and atop the dresser.
Give your bath a
mini-makeover. Treat your bathroom to
a fresh shower curtain, fluffy new towels and a fancy soap or two. Want to go a
step further? Swap out an old medicine cabinet for a stylish mirror, change the
light fixture and paint the walls.
Touch up interior paint. Do a walk-through of your home, paying attention to walls,
trim, ceilings and doors, and make note of any spots where the paint is stained
or chipped. Use leftover matching paint to touch up those areas. Sand chipped
areas lightly and apply primer before covering with color; small marks can be
touched up without priming. If you have moisture spots on your ceiling, that
could be a sign of a leak, so be sure to investigate.
Have furniture reupholstered
(or slipcovered) as needed. If your favorite old sofa or chair has seen better days,
consider having a local upholsterer give it a fresh look with new fabric, or
have a washable fitted slipcover made for it.
Clean out your shed or
garage. You’ll probably find yourself digging around in your storage
shed or garage as you hunt for lawn tools and beach umbrellas, so why not make
things tidier while you’re at it? If tackling the entire space in one go sounds
daunting, sort through a small section each time you get something out. Once
there is a bit more breathing space, set aside a few hours on a weekend to get
through the rest.
(Source: Forbes.com - Laura Gaskill, Houzz Contributor)
(Source: Forbes.com - Laura Gaskill, Houzz Contributor)
