8 quick steps toward home improvement

1. Weatherproof doors to reduce heating and cooling costs.

Supplies: Weatherstripping, nails, hammer, pry bar, wood chisel, bristle sweep and wood filler or caulk.

Cost: $20-$25.

Time: One hour.

2. Rejuvenate wood cabinets and furniture by restoring them to their original color while removing blemishes.

Supplies: Howard Restor-A-Finish, available in wood finish colors; grade 0000 steel wool; and towel.

Cost: $7 per pint.

Time: One to three hours, depending on scope of your project.

3. Warm up your back porch with an outdoor fire pit or chiminea.

Supplies: Copper or metal fire pit or clay chiminea, wood and matches.

Cost: $60-$300.

Time: A few minutes shopping and putting in place.

4. Install window shades to keep out the summer sun.

Supplies: Shades or blinds (cellular, pleated, matchstick, wood and vinyl are among the choices), tape measure, screwdriver, mounting brackets, drill, level, awl and wood shim.

Cost: $70-$100 per 36-inch-wide, 54-inch-long cellular shade

Time: 30 minutes to one hour per shade or blind.

5. Brighten your kitchen work space with under-cabinet halogen lights.

Supplies: Under-cabinet halogen light kits and double-sided tape.

Cost: $20-$60.

Time: Less than one hour.

6: Redo your foyer with faux-painted walls, mirror, accessories and light fixture.

Supplies: Paint, glaze, brushes, roller, sponge, framed mirror, light fixture(s) and accessories.

Cost: $250-$600.

Time: One weekend.

7. Transform your patio into a party place for entertaining friends.

Supplies: Colorful paper lanterns, twinkle lights or colored lights, citronella candles, bamboo torchlights and crepe-paper streamers.

Cost: $50-$75.

Time: Two hours.

8. Give your perimeter block wall new life with a new coat or two of paint.

Supplies: Paint, roller, dropcloths and paint tray.

Cost: $50-$75.

Time: One afternoon