Some 57% of homeowners feel like their home is a work in process. The good news is that you can do something about it. A few key Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects can help to make your home better while relieving stress and making your home more energy-efficient.
It’s easier than you might think. Here are weekend DIYs that are quick, easy, and are guaranteed to make your house feel more like home.
1. Replace Old Windows
Your old windows are an energy suck — probably responsible for 25-30% of your heating and cooling energy usage. You can easily fix the issue with a weekend DIY project.
Even if you don’t have enough time to replace all the windows, you can plan to replace a few at a time until your entire DIY project is complete and your come is more energy-efficient, with double-pane, high-performance, Energy-star rated windows.
2. Freshen Up Your Kitchen
Like many homeowners, you might have been wanting to renovate your kitchen for years.
Time and cost are typically the big factors that have delayed your kitchen overhaul, but you can implement quick and easy DIY fixes like a fresh coat of paint, new accents, tile on your walls, shelving or recess storage options, or even multi-use spaces.
You can replace your table or even add additional lighting to make your kitchen look and feel refreshed. Include DIY candle holders for a fresh glow.
3. Replace Your Faucets & Showerheads
You might be thinking that you’ll wait to replace your leaky faucet until you do that full kitchen remodel — but why wait?
It’s a quick and easy DIY project to replace your kitchen faucet and you might even want to check all the faucets and showerheads in your home.
On average, you could be wasting more than 10,000 gallons of water in a year because of your leaks. You could also save up to 10% on your water bill by fixing the leaks.
Even if they don’t appear to be leaking, simple changes to your faucets, toilet flappers, and other valves can help to correct the problem.
4. Reduce Clutter & Add Storage
While your goal is probably to reduce clutter and be more organized, you should think of it as a multi-step process.
Make a point of getting rid of clutter, better organizing those items that you and your family regularly use, and then strategically add multi-use storage options that will help you avoid the messy look and feel of your home.
Reducing clutter and getting rid of stuff is often the big challenge, so consider tracking those items that you use and need. If you don’t use it or need it, consider whether you can recycle it or give it to someone else who could make use of it.
5. Patch Holes or Cracks in The Wall
It could be that you were moving furniture and you pushed just a little too hard. Or maybe your kid has a great throwing arm. Holes and cracks in your walls are unsightly reminders that your home is lived in, and you just need to make a few repairs.
With some spackling paste, a putty knife, sandpaper, and some touch-up paint, your home will start looking and feeling like new again. If you’re really in a pinch for time, you can always strategically add art or other room elements to cover up the holes in the wall.
6. Liven Up Your Porch
Your porch is the entryway for your home. It’s also the space that you often hurry through without much thought. With a new doormat, a fresh coat of paint, and one or more planters or potted plants, you’re well on your way to livening up your porch.
While you’re at it, add some lighting and a bench or rocking chair. Don’t forget to add those seasonal enhancements: summer, winter, spring, or a celebration of a milestone.
7. Add Window Boxes
Even plain window boxes are a nice addition to the windows of your home. When you add flowers and plants, with a coat of paint or stain, you’re helping to make your home look and feel better while adding to the curb appeal of your house.
It’s a beautiful way to add color and character to your home. It’s also a quick, fun project that you can work on all at once or a little at a time, as an ongoing DIY project.
8. Brighten Your Outdoor Spaces
One of the easiest DIY projects involves adding durable, water-resistant string lighting to your outdoor spaces with carabiniers and screw eyes. While it doesn’t take much time or even tools, you can instantly brighten up those outdoor seating arrangements.
Make them more inviting with a mellow-lighting ambiance that’s just the right touch. Then, install a DIY fire pit to make your outdoor space more relaxing.
9. Install Gutter Covers
Your weekend DIY projects can help to prevent future home improvement issues, too. You’ve probably noticed the build-up of leaves and debris in your gutters, particularly if you have overhanging trees nearby.
Even if you’ve seen the issue, you may not know that there’s a quick DIY solution with a leaf guard for gutters. Gutter covers and gutter guards are a great way to mitigate and avoid the constant seasonal maintenance requirements.
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