Over time, our homes experience wear and tear, especially if you have children and pets running around. This can make a house look dated or as if the owners simply don’t care.
If you’re looking to spruce up your home, there is no shortage of easy weekend projects you can undertake to either overhaul or give your house a makeover. Many of them won’t break the bank, either, but they will require a little bit of elbow grease.
Some of these projects will actually boost your home’s value, while others will improve its perceived value. Both are good whether you’re trying to sell your home or simply update its looks for your own enjoyment.
Paint
There’s just something miraculous about a fresh coat of paint. It may not affect the actual value of your home, but it can affect the perceived value. If you’re trying to sell your home, believe it or not, the wrong paint color or a coat that’s chipped and scratched can deter buyers, even though it’s an easy fix.
And the fact that it is an easy fix is exactly why you should do it. It’s inexpensive, and even if you’re a novice, it’s a project you can finish in a weekend.
Update Your Light Fixtures
Updating your light fixtures can instantly change the look of a room, and it doesn’t take long to do. You can find light fixtures at your local home improvement store or in specialty stores but be prepared to be wowed. There are a lot of options available. It’s best if you go with some degree of what you’re looking for in mind.
Whether this is your first or hundredth time changing a light fixture, always put safety first. Turn off the light switch and the breaker to the room. This will help avoid electrocution or painful shocks.
Clean Up Your Yard
Believe it or not, simply cleaning up your yard can do a lot to enhance your home’s curb appeal. Take the time to do some landscaping. Mow your lawn, trim back trees and shrubs, weed your garden,.
You’ll be amazed at how just a few hours of work outside leads to an improvement in your home’s overall appearance.
Upgrade Your Hardware
If you want something quick and easy but that will have an impact, try changing out the hardware on your cabinets and faucets. Over time, they can lose their finish and begin to look dull.
You might even try to go with a different color scheme, such as bronze over silver or black over gold, to create an entirely new look.
Paint or Replace Kitchen Cabinets
Your kitchen is one of the most traveled rooms, and it’s also the first room most people really pay any attention to in a home. If your cabinets are looking dated or the paint is chipping away, a fresh coat may be just what they need.
If the cabinets are damaged, however, replacing them may be in order. This is a bit more involved, but it’s still a project you can complete in a weekend. Just make sure you have an extra set of hands.
Install New Bathroom Flooring
Bathrooms may be small, but they’re high on the list of what people look at when shopping for a home. You can add some value to yours by updating the flooring.
Choose a design that complements the existing decor and make sure it’s designed to stand up to moisture. Engineered wood and ceramic or stone tile are good options.
Clean Your Home’s Exterior
When was the last time you really looked at the exterior of your home? Chances are you just walk in the door (or, if you’re like me, park in the garage) and don’t pay much attention. But the surface —along with your driveway, walkways, and doors —gets really dirty.
A power wash will do wonders for all of it. It can actually make your home look brand new, which is sure to be a strong selling point.
Add a Backsplash in Your Kitchen
If you’re looking for a way to spruce up your kitchen outside of the painting, replacing or painting cabinets, and changing your hardware, turn your attention to the walls. Imagine a colorful backsplash as the room’s focal point.
The great news is you can let your personality fly here, but keep it within reason if you’re planning to sell the home. Otherwise, embrace your favorite colors and decor schemes.
Refinish Hardwood Floors
Hardwood floors require a lot of care because the finish can wear off, putting the actual wood at risk for damage. If you notice spots are starting to look worn, it’s time to break out the sander, stain, and polyurethane.
Do some research, though, to ensure you use the best product for your particular floors. Sometimes, a simple refinishing formula will change the game.
Replace or Update Your Bathroom Vanity
Replacing or updating your bathroom vanity can give it a new look, especially if you redo the floors or add a fresh coat of paint. A new vanity is pretty simple to install, just be mindful of the plumbing.
You can update your vanity by changing out the countertops. Getting tired of the white ceramic? Go to a specialty store and pick out a granite slab for fabricating a new one. Most of the stores will do the cutting for you, you just need to provide measurements.
Check Your Grout
We don’t think about it often, but grout is something that can take a real beating. Over time, it picks up the dirt we drag across the floor and can even erode or chip away.
You might not think someone would notice or even look at your grout closely, but you’d be wrong. It’s one of the first things people tend to look at when examining floors, especially in small rooms like the bathroom. Cleaning or replacing it, where necessary, can go a long way in the perceived value of your home.
