Fans of 1990’s TV will fondly remember Home Improvement. The sitcom showed us the exploits of Tim “the Tool Man” Tailor, who hosted a local cable show about home improvement, while still managing to make a mess of projects around his own home, such as a super-powered radio controlled lawnmower. While most of us probably wouldn’t think to build a radio controlled lawnmower, we still want to build and fix things around the home. There’s a real sense of achievement to stand there and look at something knowing that you’ve made it yourself; whether it’s a birdhouse or building a brand new garage. Now that a new year is upon us, it’s time to think about all those tasks you might have been neglecting. So what are some great home improvement projects you can get started on in 2014?

A Fresh Coat

The easiest and most simple way to give your home a brand new look is to give everything a fresh coat of paint. Painting a home is actually quite a lot of work, but it’s not that difficult. Since you can’t take time off work just to paint, you might want to do it room by room over the course of several months- and this gives you more time to decide on the best color. For kids’ rooms, chalkboard paint is a fantastic idea. It allows kids to draw their own artwork on the wall and then you can just wipe it clean.

Pull It Up, Pull It Down

Depending on your home, it might not have undergone any major renovations for a couple of decades and your carpets and drapes might be seriously dated. If you’re lucky enough, your old carpets might be masking some beautiful hardwood floors, so carefully pull up a corner and have a look; and it’s best to do this in a closet- just to be safe. New carpets can be expensive, so it would be perfect to have a gorgeous floor right underneath that old surface- it will probably need a buff and polish though. Your drapes might be looking a little tired too, so pull them down and choose some new fabrics to highlight the room. If you’re good with a needle and thread, you might even be able to make them yourself.

What’s In the Room?

Some of us might crave a big screen TV, a convertible in the driveway or a swimming pool in the backyard, but new furniture is always something that figures pretty highly on our wish lists. It’s not the cheapest option, but replacing your furniture sure breathes new life into a home. You might be able to find some sensational vintage furniture online or at a flea market and you can mix and match it with some great ready to assemble furniture to give you a look that’s both contemporary and classical.

It’s a very good idea to know your limits when it comes to home improvement projects- you don’t want to get in over your head, and so if you’ve never picked up a hammer before, you probably shouldn’t attempt to build a brand new bedroom onto the back of your house. You should also take your time and remember that a new project can take a while to get things just how you want them. It’s sure worth the effort, even if it’s just a birdhouse… or a super-powered radio controlled lawn mower.

Bio: This is an article by Lizzie Wale, a freelance writer and part-time blogger. In daytime she also writes for Higher Click and one of their clients is Macy’s. She loves everything connected to home improvement and design, working on DIY projects and spending time with her family & friends.