One of the best things about owning your home is being able to take on home improvement and repair projects yourself. Although some projects really do require the help of a trained professional, there are some that you can confidently tackle on your own regardless of your level of expertise. Why not try one of these projects to get you started?

Repair a leaky toilet – A leaky toilet is a common and easy to fix problem. You’ll know your toilet needs attention if you hear water trickling long after the toilet has been flushed. Repair kits with complete instructions are available at most home center. Simply lift the lid on your toilet’s tank to determine what type of kit will fit your toilet and match it to the replacement kit.

Paint a room – Few home improvement projects will have as much impact on a room as a new paint job will. Even the most novice do-it-yourselfer will be able to coast through this project. You can completely paint a small room in less than a day. A more complicated paint job may take a little longer, so plan accordingly.

Change the filter on your air conditioner – Most repairs and maintenance to your home’s air conditioning unit require the service of a technician, but you should still get familiar with the components of your system. Regularly changing the filter in your unit will allow it to work efficiently and will only take a few minutes. If you’re not sure how to change your air conditioner’s filter you can consult your owner’s manual or ask your technician to show you the next time he’s at your home.

Upgrade a light fixture – Many homes have relatively lackluster light fixtures placed in them when they are built. You can really increase the glamour in a dining room by switching out the standard ceiling fixture for a swanky chandelier. Begin your project by selecting a new fixture that fits your vision for the room. Then, simply follow the instructions in the new fixture’s packaging. You may find that you need a helper for this project. Although the limited amount of wiring required isn’t hard, an extra set of hands to hold the new fixture while you wire it to the ceiling outlet will prove to be invaluable.

Build a planter from pavers – This outdoor project will perfect for budding landscapers. Take care to get the first row of pavers level and the rest will follow very easily. As a bonus, if you decide to change the shape of this planter as your landscape evolves, you can simply take the planter apart and re-use the pavers.