A home improvement project can feel like a dream come true, or your own worst nightmare. Here are some tips that will help you make wise home improvement decisions. You can be successful on your next project.

Painting a room is perhaps the cheapest home improvement you can carry out. A fresh coat of paint in a different shade or texture can completely transform a room for minimal cost. If your walls are not in the best condition and you don’t have time to re-plaster them before painting, consider hanging wallpaper instead, to avoid drawing attention to the damage.

Put in a garden. It can be a lavish outside nursery, or a simple box window in the kitchen to grow your herbs. The addition of live plants and the appeal they bring to your home is unmatched. If you don’t have much of a green thumb, plant strong plants that need little attention, and add a timed drip or sprinkler system for easy watering.

Increase the energy efficiency of your home by installing weather stripping all around your home’s doors and windows. The savings on your energy bill will more than cover the costs of this inexpensive repair. You will notice the difference on chilly nights.

Not every home improvement project has to be a major overhaul or a major expense; there are a number of quick and easy updates you can make at a reasonable cost to add value and appeal to your home. Start with paint. Paint your walls, your cabinets, your trim or your doors. You can even paint your stove or floor tiles with specialty paint designed for that purpose. Increase storage space by installing closet or pantry organizers. Replace boring kitchen cabinet knobs with ones that are unique and decorative. While you’re at it, do the same with your plain white wall plates. Enhance your new paint job with fresh, bright curtains and sheers. Rent a floor buffer, and buff and wax your hardwood floors. A little cash and a dash of creativity can result in some dramatic changes.

For someone working on a limited budget, there are ways to give your living space a brand new look. It’s simply a case of working with what you have. Move your existing furniture around, maybe using different pieces in different rooms. Replace any photos with updated ones. Spend a little money on a new shade for an existing lamp. It’s the small touches that make the difference.

If you have a tear in your screen-door or window-screen, here’s a quick tip you can use that will save you money. For tears that are small, use a bit of clear nail polish. For a slightly larger tear, apply a bit of cling wrap to each side of the screen. This quick patch will do until you decide to replace the screen.

Home improvement might not be as simple as it seems. Although it may seem like quite a bit of trouble at the time, the improvements you make will last many years into the future. If you use these tips you’ll start successfully completing jobs.