3 simple, affordable DIY projects
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<img alt=""
src="http://a323.yahoofs.com/phugc/zHuRQoo51GKe/photos/d33d1a815b4f81d279a4fc719b0848fd/ori_51f3106b3059c3.jpg?ug_____DURSCfz6v"
align="left" width="300" height="300">Many of us have put off
projects we want to do at home because the cost is not something
our budgets can handle this year. But in keeping with my
<strong><a rel="nofollow"
href="http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/home/diy-a-little-at-a-time-349909/">DIY,
a little at a time</a></strong> mantra, why not pick
three affordable DIY projects to do this year? They don't
have to be grand projects. Even refinishing or painting one
garage-sale find can be just thing to refresh a room. So here are
three simple, affordable DIY projects anyone can do to recharge at
home.<br><br><strong>Paint.</strong> Yes,
you can. You can change a room dramatically by changing the color
of the walls. And, even if you're intimidated by the
thought of taking brush to a wall, the beautiful thing about paint
is it's easy to paint over. Expect to pay between $200 and
$350 for paint and tools for one room, but by using your time,
you'll save a ton of money if you do it yourself. Need some
help? Here's a <strong><a rel="nofollow"
href="http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/intro/0,,20159698,00.html">How
to Paint a Room buide from This Old House.</a></strong>
As for choosing colors, here's <strong><a
rel="nofollow"
href="http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20161202,00.html">how
to use a color wheel guide</a></strong> to find the
right colors for you. Remember, the way it looks on the chip is
probably not how it will look on your wall; the light in a room
affects how it really looks. The nice thing is some paint brands
now sell small jars of some of the more popular paint colors so you
can test a color out before buying a whole
gallon.<br><strong><br>Paint an old piece of
furniture.</strong> Hit a few garage sales this year and
you'll at least one piece of furniture past its prime but
with a little love would change a room. If you're
intimidated by refinishing furniture, think about painting instead.
Of course, as this <a rel="nofollow"
href="http://www.ehow.com/how_121_paint-wood-furniture.html">eHow
article notes</a>, first make sure your find is not an
antique that will be ruined by a painting party. Check out <a
rel="nofollow"
href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/2009/01/before-after-barbs-desk.html">design*sponge's
Before&After features</a> to find some wonderful
reincarnations through
paint.<br><br><strong>Simple
landscaping.</strong> We'd all love to call in a
top-notch landscaper to clear out old brush and come up with a plan
for perennials and annuals to frame our home beautifully. But if
money is tight, make a vow to learn how to prune your own greenery
this year. All outside projects begin with clearning and pruning.
Here's a <strong><a rel="nofollow"
href="http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-prune-plants.htm">How
to Prune Plants guide from HowStuffWorks</a></strong>.
If it's as cold where you are as it is where I am, the nice
thing is we've got some time to study before the snow melts
and the greenery comes into full view. <br><br>All
possible with some time and a little studying. What projects are
you tackling this year when money is tighter than time?<br>