Reinvest Your Rebate

Ace Hardware Offers Helpful Home Improvement Ideas for Any Sized Stimulus
Check

OAK BROOK, Ill., May 20 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a recent Ace Hardware
survey, 50 percent of Americans plan to tackle home improvement projects and
spend more than $1,000 to complete them this year. In fact, the most popular
DIY projects were lawn and garden projects (67 percent) and painting projects
(53 percent). While many economic stimulus payments have already hit mailboxes
and more will land across the country, homeowners don't have to wait any
longer to finish the DIY projects on their wish lists.
Lou Manfredini, Ace's "Helpful Hardware Man", has a tool box full of
easy-to-do projects that will add instant value to your home, save you time
and range in cost from less than $600 up to $1,200, depending on the size of
your household stimulus check.
"When it comes to home improvement projects, there are a number of small
changes you can make that will have a big impact on your home," recommends
Manfredini. "Consumers can use their tax rebate check to reinvest in their
homes, adding instant curb appeal and increasing their home's value during the
down market."
Lou's Projects for $600 or Less
Fresh Coat of Paint
One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to give your home a
facelift is with a fresh coat of paint. Manfredini suggests special formulas,
such as Ace Sensations(TM) with Scotchgard(TM) paint, which is environmentally
friendly and stain resistant for greater durability. Painting a standard 10
ft.-by-10 ft. room will cost approximately $100 to $200. So, choose a couple
of rooms in need of a makeover, recruit a few friends or family members to
help and offer to buy dinner with the leftover cash. Or, you can tackle
outdoor details with Ace Royal Exterior Paint. Repaint the garage door, your
front door and window trim, or update your lawn furniture with a fresh spring
color.
Go Green
To have the best yard on the block, follow a quick, multi-step seasonal
plan and abide by the following three eco-friendly rules to tend to the
environment whenever you tend to your lawn: -- Keep to one deep watering
each week to conserve water
-- Let grass clippings decompose on the lawn to provide nutrients
equivalent to one or two fertilizer applications
-- Set lawn mowers at two inches to reduce water evaporation during hot
weather.

To manicure your lawn, invest in a cordless, electric mower, which
requires no gas or oil, to achieve a beautiful lawn and help save the
environment. Electric mowers or old-fashion, push reel mowers can be purchased
at your local Ace Hardware store for as little as $100 and up to $500.
Get Organized
An uncluttered and organized home gives the illusion of extra square
footage. So, removing the clutter and getting organized is an inexpensive way
to add value to your home. Customized closet, kitchen and garage systems,
which conveniently package together all the necessary shelving, hanging rods,
hardware and other essentials, can either be built or bought for less than
$500 at your local Ace Hardware store.
Add Living Space for $1,200 or Less
Create an Outdoor Living Space
According to Manfredini, outdoor rooms are incredibly popular because they
combine two of our favorite pastimes -- entertaining and relaxation -- while
serving as an extension of the home. You can enhance your outdoor living space
with the "must-have" essentials or a combination of your favorite elements.
Favorite additions include a new grill and grilling accessories or outdoor
lighting and decor. The sky's the limit in this category, but all can be had
for far less than $1,200.
The Bathroom: Small Space, Big Results
Though the bathroom is often among the smallest spaces in a home, it's
also a great place to make a big impact with several easy fixes. Purchasing
new faucets, towel racks, knobs and light fixtures for your bathroom are
simple ways to refresh the room. Re-caulking the tub and shower instantly
revitalizes and brightens your bathing area. A fresh coat of paint or a new
vanity and mirror can also go a long way in this small space. All of these
inexpensive and simple projects add up to one fabulous bathroom. Choose
several of these projects -- and spend no more than $1,200.
Create an Eco-Friendly & Calming Garden
Nearly half of those surveyed mentioned flower gardens and plantings are
at the top of their "around the house" to-do list. Using a landscaper can be
costly, so jumpstart this project this spring and enjoy the results
year-round. Self-contained water fountains, ponds and waterfalls are also
popular eco-friendly additions to backyards. These features give your outdoor
space a calming vibe, and your new, relaxing backyard will cost less than
$1,200.
For more information, visit your neighborhood Ace Hardware store or go to
acehardware.com.
About Ace Hardware
Throughout its 84-year history, Ace Hardware has been known as the helpful
hardware store by both customers and communities. With 4,600 hardware, home
center and building materials stores, Ace is the largest retailer-owned
hardware cooperative in the industry. Headquartered in Oak Brook, Ill., Ace
currently operates 14 distribution centers in the U.S. and a warehouse in
Shanghai, China, and its retailers' stores are located in all 50 states and 60
countries. More information about Ace can be found at
http://www.acehardware.com.
Contact: Elizabeth Fitzgerald
Weber Shandwick
312/988-2262
efitzgerald@webershandwick.com

Bryan Tapella
Ace Hardware Corp.
630/990-8268
btape@acehardware.com

SOURCE Ace Hardware

Elizabeth Fitzgerald of Weber Shandwick, +1-312-988-2262,
efitzgerald@webershandwick.com, for Ace Hardware; or Bryan Tapella of Ace
Hardware Corp., +1-630-990-8268, btape@acehardware.com