DIY home improvement projects are growing in popularity as homeowners seek ways to increase their home’s value while protecting their budget. While big remodeling projects are best left to the pros, there are plenty of ways homeowners can update their home in just a weekend. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
1. Install a Cork Floor
Cork flooring is an eco-friendly, affordable alternative to hardwood, and it’s simple enough to install that you can tackle this home improvement project in an afternoon. You can find cork flooring panels that simply snap together, so you don’t have to deal with messy glue or nails, and you can install a cork floor as floating flooring, which means it can sit over existing flooring like wood or linoleum.
2. Tile Your Backsplash
Tiling your backsplash is a budget-friendly way to update your kitchen. A tiled backsplash provides an interesting focal point for your kitchen and it’s easy to accomplish in a couple of days with hand tools. While tiles can be expensive, you don’t need many to create a gorgeous backsplash.
3. Refresh a Fireplace
A fireplace can be an attractive centerpiece for your living room, but if your fireplace and mantle blend into the background, you’re missing an opportunity to amp up your home’s style. Spend a weekend creating a colorful accent wall around your fireplace, installing a new mantel, or adding an interesting tile trim.
4. Replace Knobs and Pulls
If you want to update cabinets but aren’t ready to paint, stain, or replace, consider adding new knobs and drawer pulls to make your kitchen, bathroom, and storage areas more stylish and accessible.
5. Upgrade Your Landscaping
A lush, green lawn is a wonderful thing to have, but it’s also boring. Improve your home’s curb appeal by laying a natural stone walkway, constructing planter boxes, or planting flowers, shrubs, and ornamental grasses to add color and texture to your landscaping.
6. Maintain Your Deck
The elements can take a toll on a backyard deck. If your deck is showing its age, spend a weekend replacing rotting or damaged deck boards and cleaning, staining, and sealing your deck.
7. Add Molding
Adding or updating molding can add architectural interest to living spaces, and there are a few ways to incorporate this feature into your home’s design. You might choose to add molding squares for a vintage touch, create an exaggerated baseboard, or install crown molding for a luxurious look.
8. Create a Backyard Oasis
If you dream of a shady retreat for hot summer days, design a backyard patio you can create yourself. A flagstone patio is a stylish addition anyone can tackle, a water feature creates a tranquil atmosphere, and perennial plants and patio furniture pull it all together.
9. Construct Built-In Shelving
Built-in shelving utilizes unused space and creates a perfect spot for plants, photos, and artwork. While installing recessed shelves requires more carpentry skills than other projects, it’s an excellent way to transform a blank wall into something more interesting.
Handling your own renovations lets you upgrade your home’s appearance and hone your handyman skills, but there are some home improvement projects you should leave to the pros:
- Structural Changes: Never start knocking down walls in your home without the help of a professional. You could discover important plumbing or electrical work inside the wall you hoped to remove, or accidentally remove a load-bearing wall.
- Plumbing: While it’s fine to update your faucet hardware on your own, if your project includes involved plumbing work you should turn to a licensed plumber instead.
- Electrical Work: Electrical work isn’t only complicated, it can also be dangerous. Prevent an accident by having an electrician install new lighting fixtures or make other electrical changes.
- Appliance Updates: While it’s possible to replace appliances on your own, wrangling large items is more trouble than it’s worth. Instead, get help moving large items and recycling old appliances.
- Window Replacement: Replacing windows is a big project that requires specialized tools. While a contractor can finish the job in a day, a protracted DIY project could leave your home vulnerable.