Christmas Projects! Simple Indoor Home Improvements Anyone Can Do

Are you a klutz with ten left thumbs? Are you an official weapon of mass destruction whenever you wield a hammer? Are there more than three self-inflicted holes on your person right now? Then you've probably made up your mind that you're no good at home improvement. But really, home improvement isn't all about refinishing your bathroom fixtures or building a new add-on sun porch. Some home improvement projects require no tools at all! If you want to improve your living space but have the tool skills of Homer Simpson, give a thought to these simple projects:

1. Lights. You could try buying new lamps, or replacing the bulbs for brighter or softer lights. Experiment with each. Some rooms benefit from a choice of either kind of light - a soft 60-watt bulb for daytime, and a brighter 100-watt bulb in a different lamp for night.

2. Window blinds. If you have blinds already, why not get new ones? They often come in standard sizes or are easily adjusted, and the mounting brackets for one will often fit the other - it could be as simple as sliding them right in! And it's a great way to change a room's mood and make it look more modern.

3. Closet organizers. You can buy these plastic cubic structures that fit into the closet with little to no assembly required. Who couldn't use a better-organized closet?

4. Cord keepers. Save those little wire twist-ties you get from the store (such as the ones you use to bag your produce). Now, whenever you have a tangle of cords or cables in your house, straighten them out into neat bundles and then tie them together at several points with the twist-ties. Now you have one or two organized bundles of cords or cables instead of that tangled mess of snakes you used to have. This is perfect behind the entertainment center, behind the computer, or in bathrooms and kitchens.

5. Shower curtains. The cheapest and fastest way to liven up a bathroom is with a new shower curtain. They fasten on with plastic ring clips. A baby could do it.

6. Color-coordinated kitchen gadgets. This is the non-obvious one that you never think of until you see somebody else doing it. When buying kitchen gadgets for a new house, stick to one or two colors for everything, in tones you're pre-selected to go with your decor. You'll see the impressive result when your can-opener, dishrack, blender, grinder, espresso machine, and kitchen towels all match.

7. Wall mirrors. We admit, hanging a mirror on a wall involves a nail and possibly a screw. But for all that, small mirrors can improve your home in small ways that add up. For instance, how about a mirror facing your bedroom door, so when you come out, you have a chance to check yourself one time? Or two mirrors across from each other in the bathroom, so you can see all sides of your head for a change? Mirrors also provide the illusion of having more space in the home as well.

8. Cleaning out clutter. The number-one home improvement project you can do is clean out old junk and get rid of it. Our rule of thumb is, if you haven't touched it in over thirteen months, get rid of it. You really won't get around to fixing that old computer, you're never going to feel like wearing that one weird sweater you never wear, and those piles of bags you've been saving just aren't going to have their day. Throw it up on eBay; somebody will scoop it up.