Home improvement projects can take many different forms and can cost you anywhere from a couple bucks to a few thousand dollars or even more. If you have made a list of all the home improvement jobs you want to tackle, you may start to feel overwhelmed by them. Fortunately, not all home improvement has to be expensive. In fact, there are many smaller things you can do as a weekend DIY project that can spruce up the look of your home. The best part? This can ALL be done for $50 or less. Pretty awesome, right?
1. Paint Your Home’s Front Door
Your front door is something that people immediately notice when they look at your home. A door that is tattered, weathered, or even a faded or outdated color can cause them to draw conclusions. A front door that is welcoming and bright will invite others to think positively about your property. Choosing the right color for your front door will depend on your home’s current color and style along with your preferences. This type of home DIY project can be done in a single day and the cost of paint will fall under $50.
2. Glass Inserts for Your Cabinet
If you are starting to feel like your kitchen is looking dull or boring, you can quickly dress it up with some glass inserts for your cabinets. The glass sheets used for the inserts are quite inexpensive and can help you create an open and airy space. These glass inserts are perfect for cabinets over the stove or coffee counter.
3. Wallpaper
It can be difficult to create a bold and dramatic look in your home with paint colors because you don’t want to choose the wrong color and you don’t want to put it a ton of time, work, and money only to find yourself hating the color you chose.
A good workaround for this is to get peel and stick wallpaper. You can add any pattern or pop of color to the room without having to be too committed to it. If you want to keep the project at or under $50, then you may want to focus your attention on wallpapering a small wall or an accent wall, as wallpaper can quickly become expensive.
4. Get Rid of Popcorn Ceilings
Popcorn ceilings used to be the go to look but they have quickly started to be phased out. Not only are they quite unsightly, but they also have a habit of collecting dust and other unsanitary things such as cobwebs and allergens. Fortunately, popcorn can be removed from ceilings without too much hassle. All you need is a wet/dry vacuum, a weekend, and a drywall knife.
5. Kitchen Cabinet Hardware
The kitchen is a focal point within your home and as such, people are going to be looking at it and also forming opinions about the way it looks. Giving off the right impression does not mean you have to spend a lot of money. In fact, something as simple as replacing and updating your kitchen hardware can do the trick.
For example, if you have white cabinets, adding gold hardware can really enhance the way the space looks. Fortunately, kitchen cabinet hardware is quite affordable, and you will find many different options that will meet your needs within your budget.
6. Change Out Your Shower Curtain
Something as simple as changing out your shower curtain can enhance the look of your bathroom and create an open feeling. Fortunately, shower curtains are pretty inexpensive, and you can get a nice one for around $20. There are many types of styles and colors to chose from, so you won’t feel hard-pressed to find the perfect option for your home, style, and preference.
7. Tile Your Backsplash Area
Backsplashes play more of an important role than just dressing up your bathroom. In fact, they work to protect your kitchen and bathroom walls from grease, water, and food stains. There are many different designs and styles to choose from and you can even create a fancy look of marble or stone for under $50. Applying backsplash is easy enough to do on your own too, which means you do not have to rely on a contractor or pay for someone else’s labor costs.
8. Garden Bed
A raised garden bed is an excellent way to save yourself from getting down on the ground, but also a wonderful way to improve the curb appeal of your home. Before you get started on this DIY project, you definitely want to make sure that you measure out the area you want to use, so you know exactly how much material to purchase. There are DIY kits out there to use or you can simply Google some ideas and go from there.
DIY raised garden beds are nice because they allow you the option to plant bushes, flowers, or even vegetables.
9. Plants
Plants can help calm your nerves, provide you with a hobby, and allow you to dress up your home at the same time. Hanging plants from your ceiling or even outside on the porch can provide you with an improved appearance. It is important to make sure you choose a spot where your plants will receive enough light; otherwise, they may not survive.
Should you not want live plants in your home, you can opt for faux plants or even trees to place around your home. They will add to your décor without requiring you to take care of them.
10. Replace Your Faucets and Smaller Fixtures
Updating your kitchen and bathroom does not stop at just changing out the décor on the walls and the hardware. In fact, a new faucet and knobs are the perfect way to address an outdated area. Many options for fixtures are affordable and will allow you to not only update the space but improve the way you use your fixtures in the bathroom.
For example, many older homes are equipped with just a generic faucet that does not do anything special other than deliver water to the sink. Nowadays, there are more advanced options such as faucets that have detachable pieces to allow you freedom and movement when washing off your dishes. Some are even motion activated. Your choices are not too limited and replacing any of your faucets or smaller fixtures can be done in a single day.
11. Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets
While we would all like brand new kitchen cabinets, sometimes it is just not in the budget. There is a workaround to this that will provide you with the look of new cabinets and that is to paint your kitchen cabinets. You can choose from a large selection of colors that will brighten up the room and make the area feel spacious.
No matter the color you choose, you do want to make sure you choose a gloss or semi-gloss paint as it will be easier to clean up over time and it tends to hold up better to the wear and tear you will be putting it through.
While this DIY project will take you a bit more time than the others on this list, it is definitely one to keep in mind and do if you are looking for an updated kitchen space.
12. Care for Your Mailbox
One of the things that you may not have considered when thinking about home improvements is your mailbox. As we mentioned above, your home’s curb appeal matters and if you plan to paint your front door and add a raised garden bed, then updating your mailbox is your next step.
There are a few different options for you to update your mailbox and this can include just replacing it and upgrading to a new one. Or, if your mailbox is in good condition, you can always dress it up by adding some mulch and plants around it.
13. Bookshelves
Did you know that bookshelves do not have to be used for just books? In fact, they are much more functional than that and you don’t even ever have to place a book on them. Bookshelves are excellent for home organization as they take what would be a plain space and add shelves and cabinets to allow you to store your items the way you need to.
There are different sizes and shapes of bookshelves and even ones that can fit under a staircase, in a corner, and so on. One of the best places for a bookshelf is in a kid’s room as it gives them a place to store all their toys.
14. Power Wash
Power washing your home is one way to make it look clean and remove years of built up dirt and debris. Over time, your sidewalk, driveway, deck, and siding all collect dirt and dust.
Cleaning these areas will help you make your home look better and enhance its curb appeal. You do not have to stop there either. In fact, you can power wash patio furniture, pool toys, and more.
Improve the Look of Your Home with Affordable DIY Home Projects
As you can see, home improvement projects do not have to involve a lot of time or money. In addition, they do not have to be a huge undertaking and can be as simple as planting a couple flowers or even cleaning up around the house.
There are many smaller things you can do to your home to enhance its overall look from updating your lighting to hanging window treatments, and more. Take some time to look over this list and see if you need to complete any of these projects. All of them are at or under $50 to do and do not take much time at all – about a weekend.