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4 DIY Home Improvement Projects that don't Cost a Dime

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4 DIY Home Improvement Projects that don't Cost a Dime

DIY home improvement projects can be a cost-effective way to transform your space. With a bit of education and planning, you can have countless ways to give your home a face-lift without having to borrow or spend a fortune.

 

Think of the following as 4 DIY home improvement projects that don't cost a dime.

Improvement 1: Kitchen makeover

Improvement 2: Bathroom makeover

Improvement 3: Bedroom makeover

Improvement 4: General home makeover

Improvement 1: Kitchen Makeover

The cost of a full kitchen remodel averages around $25,000 and there’s no need to break the bank to upgrade when you can have a DIY. Here are some ideas for an affordable kitchen makeover.

Install a New Kitchen Backsplash

Installing a new backsplash is a great way to update your kitchen without undertaking major renovations. There are many tile or stone patterns to choose from, so you can find options that best suit your kitchen and accentuate your cabinets and appliances.

ProTip Takeaway: A new backsplash will enhance the appearance of the kitchen, reduce the need for intensive cleaning, and increase the value of your home. 

Replace Appliances

Kitchen appliances like dishwashers, stoves, and refrigerators are all surprisingly affordable to replace. Depending on the brand, a large appliance could cost less than $500. When purchasing multiple appliances, you can inquire about package deals or discounts which can save you money. You can save even more if you learn how to install appliances on your own.

Update Your Kitchen Cabinets

Repainting kitchen cabinets is easy, but only if you know what you are doing. You will need proper surface prep for this home improvement project to turn out right. Repainting will instantly be made glamorous by the addition of brushed knobs and pulls.

Add Storage Space 

There are several options to create a way to store more things. If you have a messy pantry, give it a practical overhaul by placing pantry staples in dedicated bins. 

Get a closet organizer to help you declutter and free up more walking space. Add more storage space by installing new shelves in the garage or other living areas to organize or display different items.

Improvement 2: Bathroom Makeover

Adding a new bathroom vanity top is a great way to add the elegance of natural stone to your home. Prices will range from $150 to $450 depending on the size and material. To complete this bath makeover, you can add new, lighting, faucet, and mirror, and you’ll still keep the price under.

Refinish Your Bathtub 

Consider refinishing your tub instead of replacing it. A total replacement of your bathtub should be your last possible option if you want to save money.

Try refinishing your shower or bathtub if the problem is mainly cosmetic, such as a yellowed surface and some cracks and nicks.

ProTip Takeaway: Relining the bathtub and shower is also an option but it’s neither affordable nor a permanent fix. Liners require professional installation and will carry you through a few years.

Refresh Your Bathroom Cabinets with New Hardware

Buying and installing new cabinets can be expensive. The easiest and most affordable way to bring your old cabinets to life is to strip out the old hardware and replace it with fun new hardware.

Installing new hardware is easy and affordable. Ensure that its screw alignment matches up with the holes on your existing cabinets before installation. This will eliminate the need to drill new holes.

Paint the Walls

Painting is an easy job and can be accomplished by even the least skilled do-it-yourselfer. Painting a small space such as a bathroom will take a day or two but a whole-house painting may require hiring a professional painter due to the large scale.

Bathrooms require little painting since a majority of wall space is taken up by mirrors, showers, tile, cabinets, and bathtubs. In the end, the available area to paint will be a few square feet.

Restore Your Grout

Painting tile grout is a budget-friendly way to update your old bathroom. It’s an easy process that makes outdated tile floors look brand new in as little as a day.

Replace Your Showerhead

You can quickly give your bathroom bath a spa-like look with a rain shower head. Choose a more efficient model to cut your water usage. You’ll also need a plumber’s tape to wrap the threads when installing the new shower head.

Improvement 3: Bedroom Makeover

Update Your Bedding

Beddings are important when creating a cozy and inviting bedroom. Replacing old bedding with new ones is an affordable and efficient way of refreshing your room. It will allow you to change the color scheme of your room which will instantly make it feel more inviting.

Get Some Plants

Plants can brighten up any room including your bedroom. They will look great in the room and purify the air making your room more comfortable to sleep in.

ProTip Takeaway: Go for low-maintenance plants like succulents or cacti if you do not have a green thumb. Taking care of such plants is easy, and they will look beautiful and add more character to your bedroom.

Update Your Window Coverings

The window coverings are one of the first things people notice when they enter a room. If you have outdated ones or ones that do not match the rest of your decor, replacing them is a great way to give your bedroom a makeover. You can choose to buy new curtains or make your own.

Changing your curtains, pillows and other accent pieces also applies to the rest of the house. You can also add splashes of a new color with pillows and other accents if your larger furniture pieces are neutral colors.

ProTip Takeaway: To make the room appear more spacious and open, go for light-colored drapes made from sheer fabric. If you are looking to add coziness, go for heavier drapes in darker colors.

Revamp Your Lighting

Proper lighting plays a significant role in setting the mood of a room. You should consider changing your existing lighting fixtures to get better lighting, which will make your bedroom look better.

A new lamp or a candle can make all the difference. If you want to create a warm, romantic vibe, add an antique lamp or a decorative candle holder.

Lighting will apply to the entire house. However, be cautious of making your lights too disturbing. Keep in mind that; bright lights can be harsh on the eyes and not be very relaxing. On the other hand, dim lights can create an intimate atmosphere. 

Improvement 4: General Home Makeover

Your interior home improvement projects are sure going to leave a good impression. Be sure to consider the exterior of the home when you start thinking about renovation plans.

Update Your Flooring

If your living space has dirty old carpet that is not pleasing to look at, check underneath to see if you have useable hardwood flooring. If the hardwood flooring is intact, you can remove the carpet and use what’s available. If what’s underneath isn’t what you expected, you can install your preferred hardwood flooring for minimal cost.

Redo the Entryway

The easiest thing you can do that immediately changes your house is to update your front door. You can either replace your front door or paint it to give it a new look.

Build a stone or brick path for your home. You will need stones, some sand, and creativity to create a unique design.

Improve Your Outdoor Space

Options include sprucing up your patio or deck if you have one. You can do this by adding low-voltage string lighting which is an easy project to instantly turn any outdoor space into a gathering spot, and increase your usable square footage. This outdoor space comes in handy when entertaining or in the summer months when warm evenings are best spent outdoors.

Remove Extra Furniture and Clutter from the House

We are always thinking of home improvement projects that add storage space and there are many creative ways to do that. When having a makeover, it's important to first take a look at what you are planning to store and see if you need it. Get rid of all the excess furniture you don’t need from a room and clear off surfaces to give the room a new, clean look at no cost.

Remove that Popcorn Ceiling

Popcorn ceilings can be unsightly and unsanitary as they are a real landing pad for dust, dirt, and cobwebs. You can easily remove them with the help of a wet/dry vacuum and a drywall knife.

ProTip Takeaway: Test for lead and asbestos before starting this project if your home was built before 1979.

Install Removable Wallpaper 

Installing wallpaper is an easy way to freshen up a tired-looking room. Using removable wallpaper is easy for a DIY project since you simply peel and stick it instead of pasting it onto surfaces.

The reusable or temporary wallpaper comes in a variety of colors, textures, and patterns, which can cover up a bland paint job and instantly transform any space in your home.

Cleaning Your Outdoor Space

Use a pressure washer to wash the exterior of your house. Wash your driveway and walkways to remove mud, dirt, mold, and other smudged buildups. If you do not have a pressure washer, you can always hire one at a hardware store.

Are You Ready To  Make some improvements to your Home?

There’s always something that can be done to help make a house feel more like a home. If you do not feel good about doing a DIY project, you can always contact Smart Remodeling LLC to speed up and simplify your home improvement project. Contact us at 832-808-8889 or sales@smartremodelingllc.com.