Thursday 19 April 2018

Simple DIY Home Upgrades That Will Transform Any Space

By Stephanie Rogers


When most people think of doing home upgrades, they believe there needs to be a large cost involved. With a few simple tools and a small budget, there are many DIY home upgrades that can be completed in a single day, with minimal expense, that can change the entire look of a room and make it appear far more upscale.

Adding crown moldings and new baseboards sounds expensive, but really does not need to be. Buying smaller pieces that will add up to wider ones is the way to go with this project, and will look just like the more expensive pieces. Measure to ensure one trip to the store and then find inexpensive boards that can be put up together to make it look like the real thing. Always cut carefully, prime and paint the pieces before installing.

Old, beat up cabinets are out. Freshly painted ones will look like a remodel in the kitchen or bathroom. Simply remove the door hardware and doors. Sand and prime the doors before painting, and don't forest the frames or any part that will show when the doors are reinstalled. The existing hardware can be updated with a coat or two of spray paint, or new ones can be purchased. Always use a durable paint and use two coats, allowing it to fully dry. Reattach hardware and mount the doors for a fresh, updated look.

Sliding barn doors are very popular and can be easily made at home. An inexpensive kit can be purchased for the sliding part and may even include instructions to build the corresponding door. The sliding door should be a bit larger than the opening, so use the measurements of the existing door, or the opening, and buy lumber. If staining or painting it, be sure to do so before hanging the door to reduce mistakes and messes.

Swapping out old light fixtures makes a big difference in any room. There are many ways to find inexpensive fixtures such as second hand stores or local websites for buying and selling new and used items. Of course, if unsure about how to install one, it is always best to recruit help from someone experienced in making small electrical repairs.

Instead of simply painting walls, consider using stencils for a unique and updated look. Stencils can be purchased, but for geometric patterns, a great way to accomplish this is by designing it using painter's tape. The design can be whatever is desired and can be a couple of colors or many different ones. Either use the existing wall color and tape off areas to paint to add contrast, or start fresh with a new base color. Always make sure paint is completely dry before moving to a new color and carefully peel tape to ensure it doesn't remove paint beneath it.

A plain bathroom mirror is boring. Add a wooden frame, either stained or painted to match decor colors and this upgrade will look posh and pricey. Measure all sides of the existing mirror and buy enough wood in whatever width is desired. Cut it to fit, and paint or stain as desired, waiting for it to be completely dry before proceeding. Carefully nail it on using small nails and the project is complete.

There are endless options when updating your space. Anyone can do these with minimal tools and expense. Doing it yourself is a great way to add value and interest to any home, even if there is a very small budget available. Be careful because once DIY projects start, it can be very difficult to stop, especially once it is realized how simple and inexpensive home updates can be.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment