While you probably started the year off with some resolutions that included some upgrades you wanted to make on your home, there’s a good chance that you’re going to wait until the spring of the year to get started on them. There’s also a chance that you’re not quite sure where you’d like to start on upgrading your home. Fortunately, we’ve put a list together that is sure to help you turn your to-do list into a to-done list. Here’s a look at some DIY home improvements that are not only budget friendly, but that can make your home a more functional, more comfortable place for you and your family.
A fresh coat of paint on your front door can immediately upgrade the look of your home and can increase curb appeal. While many people think curb appeal only matters when they’re trying to sell a home, that’s not the case at all. The front door is the first thing people see when they come to your home, and it’s likely the thing that catches their eye when they drive by. Be sure that you choose the right type of paint, based on the type of front door that you have. For instance, a wooden front door doesn’t need the same type of paint as a metal or aluminum door. Fortunately, any type of paint that you buy should be $40 or less, so you can likely get the entire project done for less than $50. This will make the front of your home look brand new.
Shiplap has become one of the most popular terms in the world of interior design, thanks in large part to a certain Waco-based remodeling TV show. One of the most appealing parts about the use of shiplap is the fact that it can be used to add color to a room, and it can also serve to bring a sense of calm to a room that already has plenty of color. You can go to your local hardware store to purchase some plywood planks. These planks can then be painted or stained to change their appearance and are easy to attach to a wall in your home. This wall can serve as a beautiful focal point, immediately upgrading the design of any space.
Adding Some Outdoor Lights
Outdoor entertainment areas have always been popular, but they boomed in popularity during the pandemic era. Even though things have largely returned to normal, people are still enjoying the use of porches, decks, and patios. One of the cheapest, yet most effective ways to upgrade your outdoor entertainment area is through the use of some string lights. These lights ensure that you can use your outdoor area at any time of day, and most of them can be purchased for less than $20. This budget friendly option will provide you with a beautiful area for you, your friends, and family members to enjoy all summer long.
Stenciling Your Patio Floor
Speaking of outdoor entertainment areas, you can not only upgrade the top with some string lights, you can actually change the look of the entire space by painting the floor. Let’s be honest, even if you have the concrete on your patio professionally poured, there are few attractive traits found in an area of bland, boring, gray concrete. While you can throw an area rug down, that only goes so far. Invest in some concrete stain (you can find some at your local hardware store), and a stencil. Stencils are easily found online, so you can be sure to pick a design that works for you. Take a Saturday afternoon, a brush, your stain, and your stencil, and completely revamp the look of your patio.
Redoing Your Kitchen Cabinets
The kitchen is the heart of the home, which means that some simple upgrades in your kitchen can totally change the look of your entire house. Depending on the size and layout of your kitchen, redoing some cabinet doors is a great place to start. Obviously, painting cabinet doors is the easiest way to make them look new. Adding a fresh layer of color can breathe new life into the space. If you want to do a bit more work, you can add glass panels to the cabinet doors, creating a more open, airier feel. Glass sheets are inexpensive, and you can find a how-to video online that will show you how to attach them. If you don’t feel brave enough to tackle your entire kitchen, consider just trying the cabinets that flank your stove or your sink to start.
A Pop of Kitchen Color
Maybe you don’t quite trust yourself with panels of glass. If so, there are other steps that you can take to upgrade the look of your kitchen. A pop of color in a backsplash is a great way to add a simple accent to the room. Most backsplashes go behind the stove or behind the sink, so you should choose an area that provides the best opportunity for you to make the greatest impact. Peel and stick backsplashes can be found online or at your local hardware store. Choose a color that you want to incorporate throughout the kitchen, and simply affix the backsplash where you want it.
Other Peel and Stick Options
Depending on how long you have left your home’s décor choices in place, you may be looking for an opportunity to make a bold statement. There was a time in which wallpaper was considered “out of style,” but that’s not the case any longer. In fact, adding wallpaper to a single wall in a room is currently as trendy as shiplap, which we’ve already discussed. Unless you want to totally redecorate a room, you can get some peel-and-stick wallpaper that has some color elements that are already present in the space. Choose a wall and attach the wallpaper. Doing so will add a layer of brightness that cannot be achieved with paint.
Replacing Some Hardware
Kitchens and bathrooms are obviously the rooms in your home that have the most cabinets and drawers. The abundance of doors and drawers is a great opportunity for you to freshen up the space with some new hardware. Take a moment and think about the existing color palettes that are present in those spaces. If you have a lot of basic whites and grays, you may want to choose some bright, bold knobs and handles. Whether you go with metallic finish or a bright color, the incorporation of colors can add a subtle touch of elegance.
Light Switch Upgrades
Did you know that you can make your light switches look fancier with very little work? Obviously, you can buy a new switch cover, but that isn’t your only option. If you’ve ever noticed the light switches in luxury properties, you may have seen a nice trim around them. This is something that you can do for very little money. Go to your local dollar store and get a 3×5 picture frame. Simply take the class out of it and attach it to the wall around your light switch with some wood glue or some putty. You will immediately make the light switch look more expensive.
Being a homeowner can be stressful at times, but it also provides you with virtually limitless opportunities to upgrade your home. While there are obviously some tasks that require more money or the use of a professional, there are plenty of things that you can do on your own. Upgrade the look and feel of your home in 2023 by getting these tasks done.
