If you’re like many homeowners, home improvement projects are placed on the back burner due to lack of time. Updating your dwelling need not turn into a full-time job, though. Here are some simple projects that you can tackle on the weekends, creating impressive results in no time.
1. Roll, brush or spray on a fresh coat of paint. Whether you want to repaint an entire room, add an accent wall, overhaul your dining set or change the look of your cabinets, painting is one of the simplest ways to add a fresh dose of color to your space. When shopping for paint, choose formulas and colors that are appropriate for the surface you want to paint. For cabinets and furniture, long-wearing latex enamel paints provide the best resistance to wear-and-tear. Ceilings generally call for flat shades of white, while semi-gloss latex paints provide a wipeable, easy-to-clean surface on walls, which is essential for kitchens and bathrooms.
2. Replace old flooring. This can be time-consuming, depending on the size of the room and the type of flooring you plan to install, but an entire room of carpet, vinyl sheet flooring, vinyl tile or laminate flooring can easily be generally be installed within a few hours, so long as you have a clean, level surface to work with. Even sanding and refinishing hardwood can be done within a weekend, although you may not be able to place furniture on the floor for a few days.
3. Change your window treatments. Remove broken, dingy blinds or torn shades and replace them with brand-new ones. Check the backs of your curtains or drapes, too, to see if they’ve been bleached by the sun. Cotton curtains could be dyed in your washing machine to refresh the color, or you could purchase or sew new curtains to freshen the room.
4. Replace worn, outdated, or non-functioning light fixtures. Although the light fixture remains above eye level, you’d be surprised how noticeable old eyesores can be. Installing a new ceiling fan or other light fixture can be completed in just minutes, most of the time–but make sure you kill the power before you start working!
5. Install new faucets and shower heads. Ancient, grungy kitchen and bath fixtures can be removed and replaced with gleaming new models in no time, so long as you don’t encounter any plumbing issues that were previously unknown.
6. Strip old, peeling wallpaper and replace it with a modern wall covering. An easy way to loosen old wallpaper is to mix fabric softener, vinegar and water in equal parts in a spray bottle, and then spray it onto paper that has been scored using a specialized tool. This mixture penetrates the surface of the paper and loosens the glue, making it easier to peel or scrape away.
If you have minimal amounts of time to devote to home improvement projects, take heart. With these six simple ideas, you can give your living space a fresh new look without spending every waking moment on your house.