I guess you could say I’ve been involved in-home improvement projects quite often in my life. At this very minute my husband is finishing the drywall in our living room, and will soon be painting it. While it’s great to see the finished product, the process can be very messy.

Be sure to consider the type of material you plan to use before building an addition to your home. Using wood may increase your insurance premiums because of the added risk of fire. Steel and concrete are more durable and fire-resistant, so choosing one of these options can help keep your annual insurance premiums low.

When you have to redo your roof, use white tile or any other light colored material. This lighter color helps reflect light, making your attic and the rest of your home cooler. You may save a lot of money on your cooling and heating bills.

It is always wise to shop around and look for the best deal when purchasing supplies for your home improvement project. Installing a new floor can be expensive, ensure you compare. Between the discount outlets you can find and the bargain-hunting resources available to you, you may be able to save significant amounts of money.

Add exhaust fans in your laundry room, bathroom and kitchen. This will help prevent mold from forming. Also, if you are able to reduce the amount of humidity inside, you can prevent rot from occurring.

If you want to spruce up your living room, add some unique accents for flair. Try adding leopard or zebra print to your living room in the form of an accessory such as a small area rug, chair cushion, wall art or decorative pillow.

If you are renovating a small space, and you have the ability, install larger windows. Even if you cannot expand the window size, use a style of window that has more glass than wooden frame. More glass in the window will mean it lets in more natural light, which makes a small room seem much brighter and larger.

Before you start painting a room, it is best to know about how much paint you need. Measure the length of the walls in the room you plan to paint and add them together. Next, measure the height of the room. Multiply the height by the length. The square foot of the room is the answer you get. One gallon of paint will generally cover 350 square feet.

For a unique and highly on-trend look, consider hanging flocked wallpaper on a large focal wall or in the main living area of your home or apartment. This type of wall covering adds texture, color, and style to any room, but is especially ideal for homes without children or in master bedrooms.

We have a home which is over 100 years old and updating it has been an ongoing process over the past five years. We have a new dining room, two new bathrooms and half of a new kitchen. Recently, my husband installed four new windows and put new siding on half of the house. I can’t wait for the whole thing to be done!