Home improvements don't have to be expensive. Here are 30 quick and easy DIY Home Improvement Ideas you can tackle yourself, even on a tight budget.
Easy Home Improvements
1. Install New Cabinet Hardware
Installing new cabinet hardware is a quick and easy way to breathe new life into your kitchen. Those new knobs and handles can transform your space from an outdated look to a modern space at an affordable price.
2. Replace Your Crown Molding
Crown molding is one of those things we don't really think about, but it can make a big difference to the look and feel of your rooms. Best of all it's an affordable home improvement upgrade you can do yourself on a tight budget. When replacing crown molding, use a coping saw to create a tight and seamless joint where two pieces of molding meet at an inside corner. This will give you a professional looking finish and help hide any gaps or imperfections.
3. Install A Ceiling Fan As A Centerpiece
A ceiling fan can improve both the look of a room and the quality of air and it won't break the bank. There are a range of available options to suit any style. Ceiling fans provide a cooling breeze during thee warm weather, and can also help to circulate warm air during colder months, making your living space more comfortable. This one is an ideal way to remodel your bedroom for a new fresh look as well as improve the overall air quality in your home.
4. Spruce Up A Room With Floating Shelves
Floating shelves not only look great, they'll help you maximize your storage space, especially in small rooms. They can add a modern and sleek look to any room and come in a variety of materials and finishes. Best of all they aren't a major expense, making them a great DIY home improvement option.
5. Replace Your Lighting Fixtures
All you need is a screwdriver, a drill and some wire strippers to install New lighting fixtures and they can really brighten up a space. It's a great affordable home improvement job for a small budget.
Simple Do-It-Yourself Projects For Home
6. Add A Backsplash in The Kitchen
You don't need to be an expert in DIY to install a stick on backsplash in the kitchen and you won't have to splash out the cash either. This is a DIY home improvement project any homeowner can tackle successfully. Adding a backsplash in the kitchen is a great way to add style and protection to your kitchen walls.
7. Refinish Kitchen Cabinets
Why not revive those tired old kitchen cabinets with a stain or new coat of paint. You don't need complicated skills for this job — just a sander, paint brush and your stain or paint. When creating a home renovation budget for this task you should easily be able to keep it under $200 or $300.
8. Install A New Toilet
You can find deals on new toilets at the local hardware store just about any time. They're relatively easy to install with just a few basic tools and they can help give your bathroom a clean new look at a cost-effective price point. If you go for a water saving toilet, you'll help reduce water usage in your home, effectively reducing the water bill over time.
10. New Stain on Patio or Fence
Outdoor home improvements are also a great way to improve your home on a budget. Staining a fence or a patio deck are great examples. They can make the wood look more appealing and add to the overall look and feel of your yard without having to worry about an expensive replacement deck or fence.
Fixing Your House On Little Money
11. Replace Outdoor Lighting or Mailbox
Another great outdoor project is to replace outdated lighting fixtures or even your mailbox if it’s looking a little run down. Installing outdoor lighting fixtures can help improve the safety and secuirty of your home, as well as enhance its aesthetic appeal. When performing any electrical tasks, just remember to make sure power is turned off at the source before getting started.
12. Add Garden Beds and Flower Boxes
Keeping with the outdoor theme, you may want to look at sprucing up your garden beds or adding a new coat of paint to your flower boxes. One way to make a garden bed look nice is to add a layer of mulch. This project is inexpensive and you don’t have to have any experience in home improvements to take it on.
13. Add in A Window Seat
If you’re lucky enough to have a bay window in your home it can easily be transformed into a window seat for a nice comfy space to relax in. All you need is a few pieces of lumber from the local hardware store and some basic carpentry skills which you can easily pick up from watching a few online videos.
Most Common Home Repairs
14. Replace Interior Doors The paint on interior doors tends to peel over time and the doors themselves can be worn. Replacing these worn out doors is relatively easy and the hardware won’t cost more than a few hundred dollars. If you’d prefer to keep the budget a little more affordable a new coat of paint should do the trick in most cases.
15. New Blinds or Curtains
One of the most inexpensive ways to transform any room is to add new curtains or blinds. They’re widely available to suit any taste and easy to install. As straightforward as this type of DIY home improvement project may be, they can make a big difference in your home. Consider the style and design of the curtains and how they will complement the overall decor of the room.
16. Create A Gallery Wall
If you’ve ever visited the home of a friend or family member and been blown away by an impressive mini art gallery or a set of photos in a distinct pattern, then you already have a good idea of where we’re going with this idea.
Adding a gallery wall like this is a quick and simple project that you can do in less than an hour and you may already have the pieces you need — you just need to display them. In this case, presentation is everything!
17. Install A New Bathroom Faucet
Tackling a DIY plumbing project may seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Replacing that rusty faucet with a new modern look is a basic task and one you can easily fit in most budgets.
If you set aside a couple of hours for this project you should have no problem getting it done and giving your bathroom a whole new look in the process.
18. Build A Backyard Fire Pit
If you have some extra bricks behind your shed you may already have what you need to build an impressive fire pit in your backyard. Even if you do have to purchase some along with some basic masonry tools and supplies you should still be able to build your new fire pit on a tight budget. Remember to choose a safe location for the pit and to keep it away from flammable materials, such as dry grass or overhanging branches.
19. Install A New Shower Head
Another plumbing task that’s easy to perform is replacing your shower head. After years of use they can become plugged with calcium deposits. Replacing your old one is easy and you can add a fancy handheld shower head with multiple pressure settings for well under $100.
20. Build Patio Benches
Have some old skids laying around? You can use them to build patio benches and the only thing you’ll need is some basic carpentry supplies, a circular saw and a nice stain for the finished product. A patio bench can be used for a variety of activities, such as dining, lounging, entertaining or even as storage. Installing hinges on the seat with an enclosed base will allow you to store items, like cushions and extra blankets.
21. Create A Mudroom With Hooks and Storage
Add a few hooks to the walls in your entryway and a simple bench with built-in storage and you’ll have a new family mudroom that not only serves a useful purpose, it looks great as well. Hooks and storage in your mudroom means you'll be keeping your home organized and clutter-free.
22. Turn Your Home Into A Smart Home
Turning your home into a smart home is easier than you think. The smart assistant is probably already in your phone. Purchase some smart light bulbs, plugs and perhaps a smart thermostat and you can easily turn your home into a futuristic space and it’s surprisingly inexpensive to do.
23. Create A Reading Nook in A Spare Room
If you have an unused spare room it doesn’t have to be a wasted space. Add a fresh coat of paint, purchase some inexpensive bookshelves and add a comfy chair and you have yourself a nice cozy reading nook on a budget. Creating a cozy reading nook can be a wonderful addition to your home, providing a quiet and comfortable space to read, relax, or unwind.
24. Add Cabinets and Storage in The Garage
The garage can be a really useful space, especially if you add some cabinets, storage shelving and benches. You can purchase these at a reasonable price or save money and build them yourself if you’re handy. The end result will be a great looking garage.
25. Add A Breakfast Bar Using Existing Half Wall
If you have a kitchen with a half wall with a view to the living room that area can be easily turned into a nice breakfast bar with some basic lumber and a bit of elbow grease. Add a stain or a coat of paint and find yourself a couple of inexpensive stools and you have a nice family breakfast bar for your morning cup of coffee.
26. Create Your Own Home Gym
That unused basement or attic doesn’t need to be an empty space for dust and cobwebs. At minimal cost it can be turned into your own home gym.
The biggest purchase is of course the fitness equipment, but there are affordable versions of everything if you look in the right places. You might also want to look online for second hand deals.
27. Add Privacy Trees to Chain Link Fence
Instead of replacing that chain link fence with an expensive wooden one for privacy you can add privacy trees. Adding privacy trees can be a great way to enhance the privacy of your property, create a natural barrier, and add beauty to your landscape.
28. Upgrade Your Balcony or Porch
Add a few carefully placed flower pots and perhaps an inexpensive bistro table and chairs and you can turn a balcony or porch into an inviting space to start your day.
29. Create A Cozy Home Office
Another great option for an unused spare room is to turn it into a home office. You may already have the furniture you need, but even if you have to purchase a desk and office chair it doesn’t need to cost more than a couple of hundred dollars.
30. Paint Your Living Room
It’s amazing what a quick coat of paint can do to spruce up a room and it’s one of the most inexpensive DIY home improvement projects you can take on. All you need is a can of paint, a paint roller, paint brushes, painters tape and some primer.
Remember, when it comes to DIY home improvement projects, always prioritize safety, and know your limitations. If a project requires skills or equipment you don't have, it's best to hire a professional.