Taking care of a house can be a lot of work. On top of that, the price tag of adding improvements can truly add up and cause you to stress out. The biggest part of upgrading your home is the handy workers you have to hire to get the job done. This can cost you thousands of dollars, which might actually outweigh the amount that the improvement adds on to your home. Luckily, there are so many things you can actually do for your home that won’t require you to spend a huge chunk of your paycheck on workers. With these ideas permits, construction costs and so much more won’t even be on the table, so you can simply enjoy the fruit of your labor. So, get ready to brainstorm for your home, so you can start transforming it little by little into your dream house.
1. Add a New Backsplash
Backsplashes are pretty popular right now because they look amazing. They can really transform a home and add a pop of character that you may have otherwise never been able to pull off. On top of that, can hide the unsightly back of the sink that can’t seem to maintain paint. Apart from adding a touch of style to the home, backsplashes are also very easy to clean, which will make your life so much easier. Of course, one of the best aspects of a backsplash is how inexpensive it can be. You can find the backsplash already pieced together in many stores. However, if you’re feeling ambitious then you might also consider buying small tiles and piecing it together yourself. No matter how you choose to do your backsplash, it should be pretty cost-effective. Plus, you can look up tutorials for free or get advice from your hardware store, so you won’t overthink the complexity of the project.
2. Paint Cabinets
You don’t have to swap out your cabinets to get a new and exciting look. Instead, you might consider adding a fresh coat of paint. A coat of paint can actually make old and worn out cabinets look brand new again, which is great because its entirely cost-effective. You can paint your cabinets to suit a specific theme too if that’s the direction you would like to go in. Sometimes, this will also allow you to cut back on the changes you need to make for the theme come to life. You might also consider using nice chalkboard paint to accent some of the cabinet doors. This will allow you to plan out menus, make grocery lists and so much more.
3. Replace Light Fixtures
Just because you move into a house with certain light fixtures doesn’t mean you have to stick with them for the duration of your time in the home. As a matter of fact, swapping out light fixtures is one of the easiest ways to make your home look better while also boosting the amount its worth. Light fixtures won’t cost you a lot of money either, which will definitely cut back on the burden of improving the home. Best of all, actually installing it isn’t going to leave you crying on the floor in frustration. All you need to do is cut the power, disconnect the old fixture and add in the new one. Okay, so it is going to be a bit more complicated than that, but there are plenty of tutorials that will make it seem like a walk in the park.
4. Replace a Toilet Ring
If you’ve ever had a toilet ring go bad, then you know the frustration it can cause. Waiting on a plumber to come out and fix the problem can be a pain in the neck too. Worst of all, you’re going to spend a small fortune on the bill for such a simple task. If you go to any home improvement store, you will find toilet rings at a low price. You might even grab two just in case you mess up on the first attempt. Then, you shut off water to the toilet, remove the excess water with a shop vac or a special gel. Finally, remove the old ring, place the new down and reset the toilet. There are lots of handy tutorials online to help you through this task, which will certainly make your life easier. Once you’ve changed the wax ring once, you’ll never want to call in a plumber to do the job again.
5. Wooden Wall
Adding a wall to the home can be time consuming and expensive. Plus, it requires expertise and permits that can take quite some time to get. On the flip side, adding on to a wall to give it a new and exciting look is much easier than you think. If you love cozy rustic settings, then you’re going to be in for a real treat when you add a wooden wall to your home. All this requires is some wood, paint, pallets, and nails. You might look at several tutorials before you get to work though, so you can make sure you’re getting exactly what you want. For starters, you might have to swap around a few of the steps if you’d prefer a log cabin feel opposed to a classic barn setting. The task shouldn’t take too long either, so before summer turns into autumn, you could have the extra cozy home you’ve always dreamed of.
6. Replace Window Trim
If you’re living in an older home, then you might not feel crazy about the way the window trim looks. Old trim can be cracked, boring and a bit of an eyesore. You don’t have to keep up with the old trimming that the home came with though. There are so many ways to upgrade that won’t cost you much at all. You might first start with mending and painting the trim if you don’t mind the style of this. A little love in this regard can leave the home looking like a classic while still offering the new feeling. However, if you can’t stand the trim altogether then you can easily take it down and add something new. There are lots of tutorials to help you get started to. You might even find something that helps to conserve more energy as well.
7. Paint Your Tiles
Believe it or not, but you don’t have to live with the tiles that the house came with. Of course, you also don’t have to rip them up to replace them with new ones. Painting tiles has become a huge trend lately and it offers a budget-friendly way to redecorate without spending weeks on the project. Before you start on a painting project, you might consider deep cleaning your titles first. When they’ve completely dried then you’re set to start on your project. You can use just about any color you would like too, which gives you incredible freedom. Painting tiles can even allow you to paint murals on the floor if you’re feeling dedicated. When you’re finished with your masterpiece, seal it and enjoy the cheap and amazing change you’ve brought to your home.
8. Patch Your Drywall
Without a doubt, drywall gets damaged over time. May it be from an accident moving furniture, rowdy kids, or extreme water damage, you’ll eventually have to deal with the problem. This doesn’t mean you need someone to come in to do your handy work for you. Instead, all you have to do is cut around the hole until all of the edges are even. Then, add some spackle to the hole and let it dry. Finally, paint it and you’ll be as good as new. Of course, if you’re dealing with a larger hole then you will have to take some more steps in order to get the project finished. Its nothing to stress over though. Instead, find a few tutorials to help you find your way. You’ll be surprised how easy it actually it and will feel quite powerful when you can do the job on your own.
9. Install a Roll Out
One of the main problems that people have with their cabinets is there seems to never be enough space. You can have a huge kitchen with lots of storage and it still probably wouldn’t be enough to satisfy. That is where a rollout comes in. This simple device actually fits inside of your cabinet. When you’re looking for something in the cabinet, it rolls out to reveal all of your items. No longer will you have to bend over to find the things you need in a dark space. Most rollouts also come in layers too, which will make it simple to get even more space out of the cabinet. You can purchase roll-outs online for a fairly decent price, but you can also build them yourself. There are lots of easy to follow tutorials online, which can help you find the right design for you.
10. Shampoo Your Carpet
Let’s face it, carpets get pretty dirty over time. Stains develop all over the place and the color will eventually begin to transform into something that isn’t always loveable. You don’t need to replace your carpet right away though. Instead, you might consider learning how to shampoo your own carpets. You can rent a machine to do this, but if you find yourself cleaning stains often then you might just want to break down and purchase a cleaner. They’re not incredibly expensive though, so the machine will pay for itself after a few uses. Plus, you’ll be thankful to have it around during the rainy season when mud seems to find its way into every fiber.
Improving your home is always going to be an endeavor for a homeowner. However, it doesn’t always have to be a costly experience. These ten ideas will help you to improve the appearance and comfort of your home, as well as its value. So, don’t wait to get started on a fun and exciting way to make your house more you.
