Admittedly, you’re no Bob Villa. But you’d be surprised how easy basic apartment repairs can be, especially those that are too small to bother your apartment community’s maintenance department about. Besides, odds are good you’ll want to give your apartment a thorough once-over before changing addresses in order to ensure you get your full deposit back. So where to start? With the basics, of course!

Take a look around your apartment and make a list of things that need attention. Have you replaced that long-burned-out light bulb yet? Has your cat scratched some holes in the bedroom doorframe? These are both relatively easy fixes, but can easily get overlooked in the day-to-day hustle of apartment living. Make sure the replacement bulb is the correct wattage to avoid fires, and apply a fresh coat of stain to the doorframe base. Helpful hint – try using a sock to applying the stain, as it will likely help soak into the scratched crevices left by your furry friend.

How are your apartment blinds looking? Plastic blinds have a tendency to break easily, and you’ll be amazed what a difference fresh blinds can make in the overall feel of your home. The price difference between ‘cheap’ and ‘decent’ blind models is usually around , so go for the better version when possible. You’ll thank yourself later.

Give your walls a look – is the paint getting thin? A fresh coat works wonders for not only making your apartment ‘look like new’, but also can transform the overall aesthetic of your home’s style. If you notice any holes in the walls from a previous tenant’s framed photos (or your ill-fated attempt at hanging shelves), odds are good it is an easy and cheap fix. Ask your local hardware store to point you in the right direction for some drywall filler and you’ll be in business in no time flat.

Remember, if a problem seems beyond your grasp or is seriously impeding your day-to-day life, be sure and bring it to your apartment community manager’s attention. But by taking the bull by the horns on smaller projects, you’ll not only save time but will also have the personal satisfaction of a job well-done.  High-five!

Basic Apartment Repair Tips is a post from: Home Design Ideas