Home renovation projects can be a headache.
From the sawdust to the inconvenience of hiring professionals or being unable to use a certain room, most homeowners view home improvement projects with disdain.
But not all projects are alike.
Some tasks can be completed without the dust, headache and discomfort and even improve the value of your home, such as replacing your home hardware.
Follow these tried and true home remodeling secrets and you'll be on your way to completing your first do-it-yourself renovation in no time! Secret #1: Plan for the Project One of the most critical - and overlooked - steps to home renovation projects are proper plans.
This entails outlining what you intend to achieve, any budget limitations you have and a timeline you'd like to stick to.
Evaluate the rooms in your home that you'd like to replace any home hardware.
Hardware pieces most easily - and inexpensively - replaced include door knobs, cabinet units and matching floor registers.
Secret #2: Create a Budget With the downward spinning economy, you may believe that now is not exactly the best time to start a home renovation project.
Wrong.
Though superfluous spending is not encouraged, purchasing home hardware essentials like cabinet knobs, matching hinges and drawer pulls are affordable, especially when you have - and stick to - a budget.
Creating a budget is easy; simply start by taking what you would spend on unnecessary luxuries and place that money in an area for your renovation project.
Things such as coffee, breakfast on the go and unneeded trips to the mall can be eliminated.
Or, better yet, take the money you'd spend and place in a separate account or hiding spot where you will not touch the money.
You'll notice that this money adds up quickly and you will not have to cut down that much.
Secret #3: Make Necessary Space If you are going to be replacing cabinets in your kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms or closets, you'll need to prepare extra space ahead of time.
By taking the time to create additional space, you'll save yourself from a headache in the long run.
Who wants to tear up their kitchen and try to cook spaghetti and meatballs for a family of four amidst the dust and grim? Create a make-shift area in another area of your home, or prepare frozen meals (if you're renovating your kitchen) that you can easily bake without using pots and pans.
Secret #4: Getting Started the Right Way Now that you've planned appropriately and will not have to disrupt your life too much, it's time to get your do it yourself home renovation project underway.
The easiest way to remove your existing drawer handles and cabinet units is to enlist the help of your entire household.
By slightly unscrewing hinges and handles, you can let your children's smaller fingers finish unscrewing the smallest parts.
Be sure to collect all the screws so that you will have an accurate estimate of how many replacement knobs and pulls you will need.
Secret #5: Get Quality Cabinet Accessories With the hardest part of the project completed, you are now ready to purchase and install quality cabinet accessories.
These can be easily purchased online, so you will not even have to leave the comfort of your own home.
Stylish replacement accessories are available in many materials and finishes.
Materials include iron, brass, wood, chrome, colored glass, nickel and stainless steel.
Finishes include matte, burnished, weathered, satin and polished.
Depending on your home's style, you'll need to mix and match material and finish to create the desired effect.
To create a French country theme, choose a wood or dark material to add a boost to your kitchen, bathroom or bedroom.
Be sure to choose a finish that is not too dark so that it does not compete with other elements in each room.