time
Do it for me. A recent Vertis Communications study, “Customer Focus 2008: Home Improvement,” determined that contrary to some reports saying that property owners are more likely to engage in their own home-improvement projects in this down economy, increasingly people prefer to have specialists handle these jobs for them. Landscaping, interior painting and kitchen or bathroom remodeling remain the most popular home-improvement areas. Read more about the study results, some of which are listed below, at .
Of the 81 percent of Americans planning home-improvement projects in 2008, only 44 percent indicated they would “do it themselves,” down from 56 percent in 2006.
Women are driving the trend. Females age 25-34 are most responsible for home-improvement choices.
Inserts and circulars are a powerful vehicle to reach this audience; 31 percent of those that shop at home-improvement or electronics stores when purchasing appliances say inserts and circulars sway their buying decisions.
energy
Green baby steps. The average American generates 20 tons of carbon dioxide annually, or about the same amount as three new cars, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists and Chinet, which produces disposable tableware made from 100 percent recycled material. They suggest these small steps to help reduce a family’s carbon footprint.
Green light. If every family in America switched just one bulb in their house to an energy-saving compact fluorescent bulb, carbon dioxide emissions would drop by more than 90 billion pounds per year — the same as taking 7.5 million cars off the road.
Water wise. The EPA says a leaky faucet can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water annually. If you’re wondering if your house has any leaks, check your water meter at the beginning and end of a two-hour period in which no water is used. If the meter reading has changed, there’s a leak.
Drive smart. You can help reduce your vehicle’s greenhouse gas emissions by avoiding hard acceleration, reducing time spent idling, unloading unnecessary items from your trunk, and removing a roof rack from your car.
money
Quick decorating fixes. In an economic downturn, big-ticket renovations may not fit within everyone’s budget. But there are improvements that can offer a dramatic impact without emptying your wallet, according to area-rug maker Nourison (nourison.com).
Explore a new palette. Nothing transforms a room faster than a new coat of paint. Painting is also one of the most cost-effective improvements a homeowner can make.
Renovate with rugs. Although flooring renovations can be expensive, area rugs can separate spaces or tie rooms together. They also can perk up drab carpet that may be past its prime, or warm up rooms with large expanses of hardwood floors.
Change out accessories. Swap out curtains, throw pillows and even framed prints to give a room a cheap, speedy update.
