Whether you're looking to sell or simply hoping to improve your quality of life, these tips help you maximize your home's potential while saving precious time and money.


Inside Jobs

  • Clutter is a common enemy, especially in areas where space is limited, like the garage, pantry or laundry room. Hit the home improvement store and check out the variety of do-it-yourself organization systems available, or better yet, visit your favorite store's website — many offer amazing FREE interactive design tools that let you visually plan your storage space, chat live with a professional, print out shopping lists and more.
  • Customize a child's room or nursery using peel-off wall decals instead of hard-to-remove wallpaper or borders. It makes redecorating easier on you (especially given the ever-changing tastes of tots) and makes the room more appealing for re-sale.
  • Open up small, dim spaces by installing recessed lighting. You'll save space by eliminating bulky floor and table lamps while creating a brighter room that's more engaging to everyone who enters.
  • Transform your bathroom into a luxurious spa oasis with the addition of an affordable and easy-to-install shower panel. Features may include multiple showerheads and massaging jets, self-cleaning and anti-scalding mechanisms, low-water consumption and more.
  • Connections matter in today's tech-centric world, so the more digitally-capable your home is, the better. Consider installing a structured wiring system that can centralize all your external data lines (including cable, phone, video and internet) for distribution in every room of the house. Since everything is run inside the walls, it's less of an undertaking (and less costly) if you are already renovating or adding on to your home. Either way, this "future-proof" upgrade is definitely worth looking into — even if you start with the basics and develop further when your budget allows — so do some research online or discuss your needs and ideas with an electrician.

The Great Outdoors

  • A more inviting atmosphere starts — where else? — at the front door. Before you spring for a new one (doors are surprisingly costly), consider giving your current door a makeover. Paint it an eye-catching new color that compliments the house or trim, and update the hardware with an attractive new doorknob or handle and lock set, and brass accessories like a kick plate, knocker, mail slot or all of the above!
  • A well-planned perennial garden is an effortless way to maintain your home's "curb appeal" year after year. Look online or head to your local nursery for initial planting and design tips, then sit back and watch the beauty bloom annually.
  • Rest a little easier with the installation of an automatic garage door opener. In addition to the obvious stay-in-your-car convenience, many of today's newer models include useful accessories, such as a keyless entry pad for garages that are connected to the home. A smarter alternative to hiding or loaning spare keys, this security feature lets family members (or friends and neighbors in an emergency) access the home using a pre-set code.

Tools You Can Use

  • Make sure your home is in tip-top shape before it goes on the market by arranging for a pre-listing home inspection. You'll have the opportunity to address any problems you may have missed, plus impress potential buyers with written proof of your home's condition.
  • Your local or online home improvement store can be your #1 resource for education and inspiration as well as materials. Check out the vast array of free clinics and workshops aimed at do-it-yourselfers — choose from in-store or online options. Also go online to get ideas from before-and-after photo galleries, as well as easy-to-use calculators, videos, project guides, interactive tools and more. Most stores are also up-to-date on the latest trends in home renovation, like greening, laminate flooring and wall-mounted TVs, so you can get an idea of what's hot in real estate.

Find out how to make your home improvement dollars go further — visit Discover EDGE. You'll find more great home-related information and ideas through articles like "Hiring for Home Repairs," "Small Spaces, Big Ideas" and "Give Your Bathroom the Star Treatment on a Budget," plus check out expert articles and videos on other topics including financial wellness, budget, shopping, credit and savings.