6 Easy Home Improvement Projects
Owning a home comes with many rewards and many challenges. Is it me, or does it seem like just when you saved up the money to take that long weekend getaway, something goes wrong? Like, the furnace breaks, a pipe burst, or the refrigerator stops working right. While some home improvement projects might catch you off guard, there are others that you can easily (and affordably) do on your own. Here are 6 easy home improvement projects you can knock out this weekend.
Exterior Enhancements
Update Your Entry Door
While your front door can be another thing that gets in the way when you have an arm full of groceries, it's also the gateway to your home. Made from fiberglass, steel, wood, you can choose from a variety of colors and window options. Get a pre-made entry door for as little as $150 - $2,000 depending on the size, material, and features. If a new door isn’t in your budget now, consider staining or painting. Sand down those rough edges and get to work. You'll be surprised at how different your house can look with a new door!
Light It Up
Illuminate your walkway and entryway with beautiful outdoor lights. Line your sidewalk with path lights or highlight that new entry door with outdoor sconces. For the outdoor lights, pick a fixture color and style that works with your décor. Consider buying an outdoor wall lantern that features motion detection, so they’ll use less energy.
Add Some Greenery
Have you ever driven by a house and were blown away by all the beautiful plants and flowers in the lawn and porch? You can achieve the same picturesque scene with simple landscaping projects. With decorative planters, window boxes, hanging baskets, or a raised garden bed or two, you can add stunning visual elements to the outside of your home.
Interior Enhancements
Revive your Window Treatments
If you’ve been wondering what to use that home improvement gift card for, add some dimension to a room with new window treatments. If you’ve always had curtains, consider installing blinds or shades. If you’ve always had blinds, switch it up to curtains. Don’t forget the hardware and accessories too. You can find ornate curtain rods or decorative valances to top off the look.
Buy New Outlets, Light Switches, & Plate Covers
Do yourself a favor the next time you go to turn on the light in your dining room and take a look at the light switch. Is the plate chipped off on the corner? Is there some grime settling into the nooks and crannies of the light switch? While you’re at it, evaluate your electrical outlets and any items plugged into them. Do you have GFI outlets? Are you constantly having to make sure the lamp cord is plugged in because, for some odd reason, it seems to wiggle its way out?
If you answered yes, it’s time you looked into replacing these items. Luckily, this project is very affordable as the most basic light switches, plates, and outlets cost under $5 a piece. However, metal or stone plate covers and smart light switches will come with a higher price tag.
Renew with Hardware
Breathe some new life into cabinets and select furniture pieces when you renew them with hardware. Browse glass, metal, and wood pulls and knobs in modern, rustic, and classic styles. Available in a variety of shapes, colors and finishes, see how a simple detail can refresh existing items in your home.
Know someone who wants to give their home or lawn a little TLC? Send them a gift card to these popular home improvement stores. They get to buy what they need and you get cash back or a discount on the gift card purchase.
