One of the many memorable scenes in the movie “Old School” is Will Ferrell’s character explaining to his friends that his post-wedding weekends are now made up of trips to home improvement stores and handyman projects. Home improvement projects can be expensive and kill a good weekend. However, there are a number of quick and inexpensive projects that can update the look of your home and increase its value if you decide to sell it.
If you choose to undertake a project, improvements near the front of the house can have the biggest impact. A few simple projects can help organize an area that easily becomes cluttered. The front of your house can be a convenient place to leave mail, backpacks, and keys. Create a designated place to leave mail and keys using pegboard, hooks, and a small basket attached to the inside of a cabinet door. If you have a little more space, install a bench with built-in storage for each family member’s items, a coat rack and cubbies.
Adding shelves and repurposing shelving are easy ways you can increase storage and creatively display items. Floating shelves can provide a place to store books, photos or movies, without taking up floor space. In the kitchen, floating shelves can be used to store cookbooks, cups, or small plates. Modular shelving is a good solution for small spaces. You can store books, pictures, or small sculptures for a colorful and interesting display. Cubicle-style shelving can accommodate sneakers to help you store small items. Finally, you can change the look of built-in shelves by painting the back or applying scrapbook paper or fabric in an eye-catching pattern.
In the kitchen, matching the doors and front panels of your appliances can enhance the look of the room. Many customers are surprised to learn that dishwasher doors are white on one side and black on the other. By simply unscrewing and turning the panel to the opposite side you can instantly change the color. Contact the manufacturers of your oven, microwave, range and other appliances to ask about ordering matching panels. Adding extra storage is an inexpensive way to make your kitchen more functional. Corner shelves with decorative brackets can be used to store kitchen utensils, dishes or spices. Mounting a wine rack on the wall is also another storage solution for homeowners who regularly entertain or have an extensive wine collection. Over-the-door wire organizers are also good solutions for storing freestanding bottles of dish soap, counter cleaners, and sponges.
The exterior of your home can also benefit from a few small projects. Painting exterior doors a bright color like cherry red or cobalt blue can instantly update the front of the house. A fresh coat of paint applied to the trim can also create an inviting exterior. Changing any broken hardware, adding a latch, or replacing address numbers are also subtle, but noticeable improvements.
Home improvement projects don’t have to be as expensive or time-consuming as painting entire rooms. Use these simple ideas to transform your home with ease.
