Let’s admit it. Almost all of us have a list of DIY home improvement projects we would like to take care of if we ever have extra time on our hands, but don’t ever get a chance to tackle them. Instead, we just keep putting them off and watch in horror as the list keeps on growing with each passing month.
Well, there’s a way to fix that.
It’s understandable that no one would want to commit an entire weekend to upgrade their home, however important as it may be, after a long and hectic week. But did you know there are quite a few inexpensive home upgrades you can accomplish within an afternoon?
Whether you want to make your home look brand new on a budget or add colour to your walls without picking up a paintbrush, here are some DIY home improvement projects that will only take up a small part of your day while adding immense value to your place.
Quick DIY Home Improvement Projects
Here are a few easy home improvement projects that you complete in an afternoon.
- Brighten up your front door
- Paint an accent wall
- Install new light fixtures
- Put up a statement wallpaper
- Decorate the empty walls
- Add open shelves to your décor
- Update cabinet hardware and doorknobs
- Clean tile grout
- Fix nicks and scratches on wooden furniture
Let’s further discuss these easy-to-accomplish home improvement ideas in detail.
Brighten Up Your Front Door
The front door of your house is pretty much the first thing guests notice when they visit your place. That means it sets the tone for the rest of your décor and should be tended to on a regular basis. Unfortunately, front doors are usually ignored by most homeowners until they are in dire need of repair.
While replacing a door can be quite costly, you can simply use a small can of paint and a brush to add a new life to it. A fresh coat of paint can instantly brighten up the entrance to your home without straining your wallet. Not to mention, it won’t take up a lot of your time either. All you need to do is paint it once and leave it to dry before repeating the process. You can also use varnish to seal the colour.
If you have a wooden door, you might want to use a primer before painting its surface. Moreover, if you are opting for oil-based paints, which are glossier, you should consider investing in a high-quality paintbrush for a smooth and streak-free application.
Remember, regular upkeep of your front door will only add more years to its life, in turn saving you from spending your hard-earned money on a replacement.
Paint an Accent Wall
Accent walls are a great way to break the monotony created by blank, look-alike walls. If you’re looking for easy DIY home improvement projects on a budget, you should consider giving one of the walls in your room a facelift by painting it in a different colour or adding moulding to it. However, before you pick up your paintbrush, you first need to figure out the natural focal point of your room. Depending on the layout of your place, you should always highlight the wall that stands out from the rest and isn’t completely obscured by furniture and other knick-knacks.
Once you’ve chosen the wall you want to accentuate, you need to decide upon the colour (s). Now, you might want to paint your wall in bold hues, but keep in mind that colour such as orange, red and yellow can make a room look smaller as they tend to pull the wall towards the eye. On the other hand, shades of blue, purple and green can make a small room seem more spacious as they tend to pull the wall away from the eye.
But before you make any purchases, make sure to familiarize yourself with different types of paint finishes available in the market. This will help you determine which option is going to work best for you.
Install New Light Fixtures
Adding new light fixtures to your home is a great way to upgrade its overall look. Of course, installing new fixtures in every room at the same time does not sound very budget-friendly, but you can tackle this simple DIY home improvement project on a room-to-room basis. You can also consider upgrading the ones you already have to save on the cost. In fact, just replacing your old, dim bulbs with brighter LED lights can also make a significant difference. Not only will they make your room appear brighter, but they’ll also help you save some money by cutting down on your monthly electricity bill.
It is also important to mention that tall floor lamps and hanging pendant lights can make your entire home décor look more expensive and chic. Stylish table lamps are also a great option. In addition to that, adding lights to a room is the easiest way to make it look bigger and less cramped. For a better effect, consider placing a mirror right behind the source of light so it can reflect and amplify the brightness in your room.
Put Up a Statement Wallpaper
Want to add a little bit of flair to your space? Consider putting up a statement wallpaper on the wall catches the most attention. It will also add texture to your room while making your décor look trendier.
This is one of the most popular home improvement projects, especially because it is extremely affordable and doesn’t require a lot of expertise. Even if you live in a rental property, you can use the stick-on wallpapers to spruce up the walls without upsetting your landlord.
Much like painting an accent wall, you need to be very careful while choosing a wallpaper. Make sure whatever you buy fits the overall theme of your décor. Generally, people prefer using floral and abstract designs, as it makes space look more comfortable and cosy. As for the colour, going for cooler hues usually works best for smaller spaces.
If you’re confused between painting a wall or covering it up, this wallpaper vs. paint guide will definitely help you out.
Decorate the Empty Walls
Are you looking for easy home improvement projects for beginners? Well, it can’t get any simpler than this.
While creating a picture gallery might be the first thing that pops into your head when it comes to decorating empty walls, you should also consider some other ideas to upgrade your home décor.
Of course, adding framed pictures of family and friends is a nice way to spruce up your living room walls. But you can also invest in some statement wall art to make your home décor look much more expensive than it actually is. Some other options include starting a vertical garden, creating a bookshelf or hanging a bright piece of fabric (or a small rug) on a wall to brighten up a boring looking wall.
In case you love travelling, you can cover one of your walls with a giant world map and use stick-on thumbtacks to mark the places that you’ve either been to or plan on visiting soon.
For a more in-depth guide, you can take a look at some of our DIY home décor projects to upgrade your walls on a small budget.
Add Open Shelves to Your Décor
Open shelves can add a bit of depth to your room while providing you with more storage space. However, make sure to not completely fill these shelves with storage boxes and such, because a) you need to make sure they look aesthetically-pleasant and b) filling them with stuff will create visual clutter and make your room look messier than it is.
Wondering how should you utilize open shelves in your home? Here a few simple ideas that might help you make a decision:
- Create a bookshelf and decorate it with little decorative items
- Place small potted plants on your shelves. Succulents are usually a good option for spaces that don’t receive a lot of natural light.
- Display family photographs, small paintings and other artwork
- Showcase family heirlooms and precious collections
Of course, these ideas are not mutually exclusive. Depending on your preference and the rest of your home décor, you can pick and choose a few select items and display them on your open shelves. Just make sure they don’t appear cluttered.
Update Kitchen Hardware and Doorknobs
Does your kitchen hardware look old and worn-out? Do your doorknobs look old-fashioned and rusty? Well, it’s time to replace them.
Changing cabinet handles and drawer pulls can instantly make your kitchen look brand new – that too on a tiny budget. Depending on your kitchen décor, you can choose stainless steel taps and fixtures to give your kitchen a facelift. Installing handles and pulls in unique shapes and/or sizes can also be a good trick to upgrade the space, though you will need to ensure your chosen hardware doesn’t make your décor look overwhelming or out of place.
As for the doors, vintage or chrome door knobs are usually a great option. However, make sure regularly wipe them with a clean, dry cloth to keep them new and shiny. Every once in a while, use antibacterial wipes to clean the door handles and kitchen hardware.
Clean the Tile Grout
A lot of people may not realize it, but cleaning tile grout is easier than it seems. Not to mention, it is one of the easiest DIY home improvement projects on the list that can instantly make your tiles looks cleaner and brand new.
While there are quite a few pocket-friendly chemical cleaners available in the market, it’s always better to use natural, household products to get the job done. One of the most popular ways to clean tile grout is by using a thick paste of three parts baking soda and one part water. Make sure to wear a rubber glove while applying this paste between the tiles and waiting for a few moments before spraying it with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. Once the baking soda and vinegar paste on the floor stops bubbling, use a nylon-bristled brush to scrub the lines and get rid of the dirt.
This tip works for grouts of all colours. However, refrain from using this recipe if you have marble or limestone floors as vinegar could harm natural stones.
Here are some more affordable ways to clean different floor tiles that you may find useful.
Fix Nicks and Scratches on Wooden Furniture
There is a difference between a trendy distressed-looking coffee table and an actually distressed coffee table with nicks and scratches across its surface.
Since replacing furniture can be rather expensive, you can use some DIY home improvement hacks to cover up minor abrasions and restore the surface.
First of all, you need to find out if the surface of your furniture it actually scratched or if it is just a cosmetic flaw. If you regularly wax your wooden tables and chairs, there is a good chance that the build-up from the residue has formed a layer over your furniture. The easiest way to ensure the surface underneath is fine by running your finger across the scratch. If you don’t feel the abrasion, you can simply use a solution of equal parts water and vinegar to gently wipe the surface and break up the wax deposit. It is important to move the cloth in the direction of the grain.
On the other hand, in case your furniture is actually scratched, you can fix these nicks and abrasion by rubbing the inside of walnut against the mark. Rubbing a mixture of equal parts of lemon juice and olive oil on the furniture is also an effective way to deal with the problem.
For more information on the topic, check out our detailed list of DIY hacks to remove ugly scratches from wooden furniture.
Moreover, if your budget allows, you can also think about hiring a professional to decorate your place. Take a look at some of the biggest benefits of getting an interior designer for your home. On the other hand, in case you’re planning to re-paint your house, here are a few tips on how to keep your colour palette from making your house look dirty.
Meanwhile, stay connected to Zameen Blog if you are interested in learning more about budget-friendly DIY home improvement tips and ideas. If you have any suggestions you want to share or any questions you want us to answer, feel free to get in touch with us via blog@zameen.com In addition to that, please subscribe to our newsletter on the right to receive the latest updates about the real estate sector of Pakistan.
