Are you in the mood for doing some home improvement projects but want to keep things on the lower end of the cost spectrum? As homeowners head into the cooler months, they usually have renovations on their minds but often don’t have the time or funds for major undertakings. The good news is that there are dozens of DIY mini-projects that can add a new look or feel to just about any room in the house. Which ones are among the quickest ways to add value and an enhanced look to your home?
The list below includes three of the most popular projects that deliver comfort, aesthetics, and utility without breaking the bank. Many cost less than $50, and most come in under $300. Before choosing one or all of them, consider getting personal finances in order. That way, you’ll have some extra cash on hand to pay for any number of small jobs, and maybe even a larger one. One fast solution is refinancing student loans. When you opt for a private lender you can stretch out monthly payments, possibly get a better rate, and instantly lower your monthly expenses. A refi of education debt is a fast, smart way to chop some fat out of the budget and free up cash for DIY improvements. Here are three ideas to get you started.
Paint Doors and Doorknobs
Choose a color or color scheme and paint every door in the house, including main front and back doors, garage doors, and interior ones as well. The beauty of this favorite mini-renovation is that you can work at your own pace, perhaps doing one or two doors each week. Your only cost is paint and sandpaper, so the budget is on the low side. Consider having someone help because removing and replacing doors onto their hinges is a two-person job. Of course, you’ll not remove garage doors, but will probably need a ladder and help for that piece of the project.
Redo Window Treatments
With this task, the idea is the same as for doors; do every curtain in the house, including shower curtains. Pick a theme or color scheme, start with the showers and work your way around the house. You can select fabric and have it custom cut at many retail outlets. For a professional look, measure all drape widths about three inches to the left and right of windows. Finally, place rods about eight inches above window tops and let all draperies reach about a quarter-inch above the floor.
Transform Electrical Outlets
Here’s an old trick interior decorators have been using for more than a century: use tiny picture frames as decorative borders for every electrical outlet in your home. Hobby stores offer a selection of styles, colors, and prices. Be careful on cost because you’ll likely need several dozen frames. As an added splash of style, change all your switch-plates and replace them with chrome, gold, or silver metallic ones. If you decide to attempt this job, do the switch-plates first, make sure to coordinate plate colors with the frames you have in mind, and attach the frames last and use a non-toxic adhesive wall glue.