Wouldn’t your house be a lot more fun if it had a game room? This is a place where you can escape from the stresses of running a household and just have fun with your family. Many people would love their own game room but don’t think that they have the space or money to create one. You might be surprised at how inexpensive creating a small game room can be.

The first thing that you need to do to create a game room is to set aside the space for one. If you have an extra bedroom or unused office space then this is ideal. However, it’s okay if you don’t. Select a section of the living room, kitchen or garage for your game room. Section it off with room dividers, hanging sheets or strategically placed furniture. You can also get more creative. A large tent pitched in the living room or an unused kids’ tree house can also be great game rooms.

After selecting your space, you will want to make it comfortable. Your game room should be a place where your whole family can relax. Check around the house for any furniture and bedding that you aren’t using. Old couches, faded blankets, kids’ bean bags and other items that you don’t want in your main rooms anymore can gain a great second life in your game room. If you truly don’t have any of these things, check yard sales, second hand shops and giveaways on your social networks to get them for cheap. Inexpensive colorful fabrics can be tossed over these items to make the game area prettier.

The next thing that you need to add to the space is an organizing system. You want a space-saving method of keeping the game room clean and clutter-free. Old boxes covered with fabric, pretty crates, cheap tote boxes or inexpensive shelving systems are all options for affordable organization in this new room.

Once you have decorated your game room, you are ready to fill it with games. How can you do this on a budget? Here are some of the top ways that people get game room games without spending a lot of money:

• Check your storage closets. You probably already have some games that can start your game room collection.
• Ask your friends and family for donations. With grandma’s donation of a shuffleboard set, the neighbors’ old board games and your sister’s collection of playing cards, your game room could be ready to go.
• Buy second hand games. Yard sales, thrift stores and online auctions are great places to get inexpensive games to stock up the game room. Be careful that you ask if all of the pieces are included when you buy secondhand, though.
• Look for coupons and clearance deals. You don’t have to stock the game room completely full right away. Take advantage of off-season deals and coupons to slowly add the right games to your collection.
• Make your own games. Crochet a fabric checkerboard set and checkers. Use your computer, printer and card stock to make your own card games. Get creative with pen and paper.

Having a game room makes your house a lot more fun. It can also save you money in the long run. Instead of paying to go out for entertainment, you can stay in and have a great time together at home. That’s worth more than you can imagine.

This was a guest blog by Chris Bennett . Chris Bennett is a gamer in the truest form – with his favorites ranging from Super Mario Brothers to shuffleboard to board games.   When he’s not gaming with his two sons, he loves to blog and spend time fixing up his house.

Photo Credits: Jeff Kubina

Originally posted 2010-08-18 20:26:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Home Improvement Grants for Home Improvement Help If you are seeking out home improvement help, then one of the best things that you can do, at least on the financial side of things, is to get the home improvement help that you need by way of home improvement grants. If you are looking to sell your home......
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1. Revamp the appearance of the kitchen.

Despite the prevalence of the fast food and restaurant culture, the kitchen is still the life center of the home. Home buyers will head straight for the kitchen when they check out a house, and small, visual improvements here will go far in your renovations. For around a couple hundred dollars, the hardware in the kitchen; cabinet handles, lighting, faucets; can all be replaced with newer, more modern looking pieces. Lighting can also get replaced with more energy efficient fixtures to make things more environmentally friendly.

2. Improve the appearance of your appliances.

Appliances which appear to be part of a matching set look more high class and vastly improves the value of the kitchen. Ordering new face plates for the kitchen appliance set can go a long way. It may even surprise you with a couple of free fixes. Items like dishwashers, with a sheet panel exterior, may have the alternate color on the back side.

3. Attack the bathroom.

This is the room which should get the revamp after the kitchen. The bathroom can be improved along the same lines as the kitchen. Buying a new toilet seat, a pedestal sink, new hardware, all of these are simple tasks for the home owner. The floor can get a renewal with new vinyl tiles that are simple to install, even without removing the old floor. The tub can also get a similar revamp, saving the cost of installing new tiling or refinishing the tub.

4. Create new storage spaces.

Adding new fixtures such as wire or wooden closet systems are easy to install yourself and expand the storage available in the home. A lack of storage space can be a deal breaker for home buyers. There are many brands of closet organizers that will greatly improve the space available to you in your closet.

5. Turn a room into a bedroom.

If you have a room like a den, then by adding what is needed such as closet space, then you can turn the room into a bedroom, greatly increasing the value of the home while requiring little work.

6. Give the mechanics their run of the place.

It can help to hire a handyman or two, such as plumbers or electricians, to fine tune the systems in your home. Fixing little things all around the home can add up really quickly and make the home more polished.

7. Clean the carpet.

The carpeting all throughout the home is always in sight, and giving it a thorough cleaning will give the home a drastically improved appearance. Little spots of wear, like at the entrances or the foot of the stairs, can get covered by small area rugs. If need be, then replacing the carpet should be considered.

These are a few ideas for increasing the value of your home.

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Originally posted 2008-12-25 05:35:02. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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1. Replace all your hardware.

Most of us are dealing with the stock knobs and drawer pulls that came with our homes. Depending on how old your house is, this probably means they are pretty dated. A simple change of some hardware can make your whole kitchen feel like it's brand new and it will look much more current. Look for brushed nickel finishes for an edgy look, or go with black iron for a more traditional and country approach.

The sky is really the limit with today's hardware and you'll have a lot of options. If you can't decide which one works for you, get one of each of the styles you like (keep the receipt) and try them out live in your own kitchen. Return the ones you don't like and get the rest of the hardware to complete your kitchen.

2. Replace aging fixtures and/or sinks.

Again, we're dealing with something that came stock with your home and since our faucets get so much wear, it's probably past time to get it replaced. There are so many new options out there that it may be a little overwhelming.

Try to stick with a finish that matches your new hardware, or have some fun with some copper fixtures. Just remember to buy the fixtures that will fit your existing sink, unless you are planning on replacing that too. A new sink is cheaper than you might think and this can really change up the whole kitchen. Look for one that solves your existing problems (not enough room, too shallow, etc...) while still fitting in your existing cabinet.

3. Put in a new floor.

With today's new laminate flooring or peel and stick tiles, it is a lot easier and more economical to get an entirely new kitchen floor. Stay away from dated floral and marble prints and feel free to get a little edgier with your design. A dark floor gives a kitchen a very dramatic look, but if your kitchen is on the small side, look for a light colored material.

Since the goal is a cheap makeover, we really recommend going with a flooring that is easy to install on your own. For example, laminate flooring can just click together over your existing floor and doesn't require a lot of labor or know-how to get the job done. If you've got the skills and the budget, we really recommend ceramic tiles for a modern and fresh look.

These are just three simple ideas that can dramatically change your kitchen in just a few hours. See what you can come up with and then get that makeover started!

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Originally posted 2008-12-08 21:29:19. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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1. Always make sure that the air conditioner is sized appropriately for your window.

It sounds overly simplistic, but air conditioners really only come in a few widths, and windows are very different. If you have an older house, you may have very narrow windows, while newer homes may have wider windows. Although many air conditioners do come with little plastic curtains that can stretch to either side, this is not a very effective means of keeping the heat out.

Try to find an air conditioner that is as close as possible to the width of your window. If you can’t find the perfect fit, consider using a more substantial material to provide a closer fit between the window and the air conditioning unit. Plywood painted to match your house is a great and easy fix for this problem.

2. Always make sure that you use a foam strip above and below the unit.

This is something that many people forget when they are installing their window air conditioners. That strip is going to help block out hot air from coming into your house and it is important to make sure that it is the right size for your window. It is a good idea to put it on the bottom and top of the unit for the best results.

In addition to helping with energy savings, that foam strip will also help your air conditioner run a lot quieter. The vibration from the unit can be pretty irritating when it is rattling a double pane window. By installing the foam, you’re cutting down on how much vibration will actually reach the glass.

3. If you have an old unit, it’s time to upgrade.

Today’s air conditioners are much more energy efficient and easier to install than the units of old. Gone are the clunky boxes that take two people to heft into the window and gone are the sky high electric bills. Many of today’s air conditioners can be run for about the same cost as a lamp, while the older models are closer to a chest freezer.

It is also a good idea to replace an air conditioner that is more than ten years old. The parts on these models do wear out and the Freon will not be as effective as it once was. The result is that the unit has to work harder to make it cooler in your home and you end up spending a lot more money.

Lastly, always make sure that your air conditioner is not on the side of the house where it will be exposed to constant sun. It makes it harder for the unit to run and it will not be able to keep your room cool.

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Originally posted 2008-12-04 08:16:42. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Refreshing

Pros – This is a very cheap alternative to completely remodeling your home. It will allow you to retain certain features such as built-ins or other permanent fixtures in your home. With the right techniques, refreshing can be done in as little as a week and often gives similar results.

This is perfect for homeowners that need to sell their properties quickly and do not have the time to do a complete remodel. You can essentially make the home look almost brand new and you won’t have to worry about it taking months to get to completion. This is also a good alternative for those who prefer to do the work on their own, but may not have the time to dedicate to a complete remodel.

The main benefit is of course the price. Refreshing a home will cost thousands less than a remodel, and can produce almost comparable results in many cases.

Cons – The biggest con for refreshing is that you are not really addressing problem areas in the home. For example, you are not replacing older appliances that may be past their prime, nor are you fixing issues regarding flow, fixtures that no longer work or areas that are completely rundown. Basically, refreshing is best for homes that still have a lot of life in them and only need cosmetic assistance.

Remodeling

Pros – Remodeling your home can greatly increase its overall value. This is vital if you are trying to recoup equity in your home or sell it in a down market. The results are usually more dramatic and can make the entire home feel like new. Problem areas can be addressed and newer features can be added that will make the home more workable.

If you have been considering moving, but aren’t really committed to it, remodeling your home can make it feel brand new. Whether you are creating larger rooms, making your kitchen more functional or just improving the existing space, remodeling is usually the best answer.

Remodeling may be necessary in many cases, especially if a home is severely dilapidated to the point where refreshing will not help.

Cons – The cost of remodeling makes it prohibitive for many homeowners. It can easily run into the tens of thousands, especially if your home needs a lot of help. This may require a home improvement loan, which can eat into your home’s equity.

Another major obstacle is the fact that a remodel can take months to complete. If you are remodeling areas such as the kitchen or bedrooms, this can significantly impact the way you live for a long period of time. You may need to stay in a hotel or with friends, and costs can really mount up over time.

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Originally posted 2008-09-23 05:17:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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