You know the feeling when you walk into a room in your house and think, "I could really use an upgrade here." Whether it's finally replacing that dated linoleum floor or adding a bold accent wall, there are so many ways to give your home a fresh new look without spending a fortune. In this article, we'll share clever and creative DIY home improvement projects that you can tackle in a weekend.
From upcycling wooden pallets into rustic wall art to installing peel-and-stick backsplash tile in your kitchen, these budget-friendly ideas will inspire you to roll up your sleeves and DIY. With a little bit of effort and elbow grease, you can give any space in your home a stylish facelift. So read on for thrifty tips and tricks to make your house feel brand new again.
DIY Flooring Ideas: Refinish Hardwood or Lay New Vinyl
Refinish Existing Hardwood Floors
If you have hardwood floors in your home that have seen better days, consider refinishing them instead of ripping them out. Sanding down hardwood floors and re-staining or painting them can breathe new life into a space. Rent a floor sander to buff out scratches and imperfections. Then apply 2-3 coats of stain or paint in your color of choice. Polyurethane or lacquer sealants will protect the new finish. Refinishing hardwoods is a DIY-friendly project that can save thousands over installing new flooring.
Lay Peel and Stick Vinyl Planks
Peel and stick vinyl planks are an affordable, low-maintenance flooring option perfect for DIY installation. Made from durable vinyl, the planks come in wood and stone looks. They have self-adhesive backing, so installation is as easy as peeling off the backing and sticking the planks to your floor. Use a utility knife to cut planks to fit edges and corners. Vinyl planks can go right over existing flooring like linoleum, wood, or concrete. They're water-resistant and kid-friendly but look like real wood or tile. At under $2 per square foot, vinyl planks won't break the bank either.
Paint Concrete Floors
If you have a concrete basement or garage floor, consider giving it a facelift with paint. Clean and degrease the concrete, then apply a concrete primer. Once dry, roll on 2 coats of concrete floor paint in your chosen color. For extra protection, topcoat the paint with a clear concrete sealer. Painting concrete floors is very affordable and can transform a drab space. The finish will stand up well to foot traffic and moisture. For concrete floors inside the home, choose a paint specifically intended for interior use.
With a little DIY spirit, you can overhaul your home’s flooring without spending a small fortune. Refinishing hardwoods, laying vinyl planks, and painting concrete are all budget-friendly projects that will make a big impact. Your floors will be freshened up in no time!
Upgrade Interior Doors With Stylish Hardware
Replacing your interior doors or just the hardware is an easy DIY project that can make a big impact. Standard interior doors tend to be flat and boring, but new doors with paneling or glass inserts instantly upgrade a space. If replacement isn’t in the budget, installing stylish new hardware is an affordable alternative.
Choose a Theme
Select the hardware that matches your home’s style. For a modern farmhouse look, black iron or rustic bronze hardware pairs well with wood doors. In an industrial loft, consider matte black, polished chrome or stainless steel. Glass door knobs and decorative backplates dress up doors in a traditional home.
Consider the Details
Pay attention to the details like finish, shape, and size. An oil-rubbed bronze finish has a warm, aged patina while satin nickel has a pewter-like sheen. Round knobs are classic but square or arched handles are sleekly modern. Oversized hardware makes a dramatic statement on large doors.
Add Backplates
Decorative backplates provide an easy style upgrade for existing doors and hardware. Backplates come in a range of shapes, sizes and finishes to complement your hardware and decor. For extra detail, look for backplates with corners, edges or surface embellishments like grooves, ridges or hammered textures.
Include Privacy Locks
For interior doors without locks like closets, bathrooms or bedrooms, installing a basic privacy lock is a good safety precaution. A simple barrel bolt, slide bolt or hook and eye latch allows the door to be secured from the inside. Match the finish to your hardware for a cohesive look.
Upgrading your interior doors and hardware is a DIY project with a high reward. Stylish doors and hardware increase home value and transform the look and feel of your space.
Install Fresh Baseboard Molding for a Designer Look
Installing new baseboard molding is an easy DIY project that can make a big impact. Baseboards, also known as skirting boards, are the trim pieces that run along the bottom of walls in a room. Replacing worn or dated baseboards with a fresh, clean style will modernize your space and give it an upscale look for little cost.
Choose a Style
Baseboard styles range from simple rectangles to intricately carved designs. For contemporary homes, a simple style like a quarter-round or half-round shape works well. More traditional homes often use an ogee or cove style. Profiled styles with curves and contours provide visual depth. Consider matching your baseboards to existing door and window trim for a cohesive look.
Measure and Buy
Measure the perimeter of each room to determine how much baseboard you need. Buy boards at least 5 to 6 inches tall for the most dramatic impact. MDF (medium density fiberboard) baseboards are affordable and easy to work with. For high-traffic areas like living rooms, hardwoods like oak or maple hold up better.You can use other baseboard like Pine colonial baseboard, step level baseboard and Flat baseboard. Have the boards cut to size at the store to make installation easier.
Installation
Install baseboards with a miter saw, hammer, nails or wood glue, and a nail gun. Cut boards to fit at corners and around doors and windows. Apply wood glue to the back of boards for the strongest bond. Secure boards to walls with nails or a nail gun, placing nails every 6 to 8 inches apart. Fill any gaps with wood putty and touch up with matching paint.
New baseboard molding is an easy upgrade that can transform the look of your rooms. With some measuring, cutting, and nailing, you'll achieve a custom finish and add style to your home. Your space will look like it was designed by a pro, all thanks to this simple DIY trick.
Conclusion
So there you have it creative and cost-effective DIY home improvement ideas to try out this weekend. You can tackle small projects like painting your front door a fun color or go big by refinishing hardwood floors. Either way, take your time, do your prep work, and don’t forget safety.
The right tools and protective gear are a must! With some elbow grease and creativity, you’ll give your home an exciting makeover on a budget. The feeling of accomplishment when you finish will make all the hard work worthwhile. What project will you start first? Get those creative juices flowing and make your house uniquely you!
