You don’t have to be a pro at
construction to master these quick and easy DIY projects.
Add storage to your entry.
If a traditional entry closet or a beautiful
built-in shelving system is not an
option in your home, refashioned furniture can achieve a look that’s equally stylish and
storage-savvy. This small-scale table is a perfect size for beside the front
door. Though compact, the table’s drawers and shelf make the piece super functional for busy drop-zone items. A
wall-mount shelf above the table hangs keys within easy reach.
Make your entrance inviting.
A cheery
front-door color and a touch of landscaping can do wonders for
your home’s curb appeal—and make a lasting
impression on guests. Dress the door with new hardware, and add a welcome mat
and potted plants near the entrance. Consider installing outdoor lighting to enhance your
home’s architecture and illuminate the walkway.
Install a new faucet.
Inject elegance into your daily life with a
faucet that ups the ante in looks and quality. Just make sure the configuration
matches your existing sink, or you might end up replacing that, too.
Give your yard a boost.
With flagstone, you can easily make an outdoor patio in a weekend—no mortar required.
Add potted plants and outdoor seating, such as a bistro set or an eclectic mix
of colorful chairs, to create a quaint backyard escape.
Add molding.
Living room, dining room,
great room: any common area looks better with the finishing, defining touch of decorative molding. If you live in a historic home, make
sure your molding choices complement your home’s architectural
style.
Paint or paper a wall.
Self-adhesive and repositionable wallpaper
creates a romantic accent that’s easy to apply, remove and reuse. It
works like a giant sticker. Peel the decorative paper off the backing and
adhere it to a primed and painted wall. To create a curvy top edge, use your
mirror to inspire the outline of your design. Cut the shape from craft paper
and test the look. Tape the pattern on the decorative paper applied to the
wall; use a crafts knife to cut around the template. Peel away the paper above
the cut.
Update your hardware.
Spice up your cabinets and drawers by replacing
factory-issue handles and pulls with designs that reflect your personal taste.
For a unique, eclectic look, scour antiques shops for
hardware pieces.
Look up and dress up your ceiling.
Give your ceiling a little eye candy.
Beautifully highlight a coffered ceiling with colorful paint, and keep the trim
white for a bold visual effect. Placing a ceiling medallion around a fan or
light fixture is another way to add architectural flair overhead. Decorative
ceiling medallions are available in all shapes, sizes and styles.
Make your fireplace more efficient.
To quickly and easily rehabilitate your existing
fireplace, a gas or wood-burning insert adds energy efficiency to your home
without tearing apart your hearth and mantel.
Get a built-in look.
Create extra storage in a snap with kits for
bookcases or shelving that you assemble yourself. Try a cabinet and open
shelving combination for display spaces.
Patch holes in walls.
Whether an art-arranging project went awry or
you're tired of looking at dings around the house, concealing wall blemishes is
a weekend-worthy project. With a putty knife and surfacing compound, you can
easily repair nail holes and other minor wall imperfections. For larger holes,
place an adhesive patch over the area and spread an all-purpose drywall
compound over it with a trowel. Depending on the size of the wall hole, the
compound may need to dry overnight. Paint over the patch when it is dry.
Hang a new medicine cabinet.
With just a stud finder and a drill, you can
install the cabinet in less than an hour. For quick installation, choose a
cabinet that can mount directly to the wall above your bathroom sink, rather
than cutting away drywall and recessing the cabinet between studs.
Add a ceiling fan.
Add a ceiling fan and save money by not running the air conditioner on those
marginal days when all you need is air movement.
Spice up your stairway.
Add drama to a staircase with distinctive
railings or embellishments. Architectural-salvage and reuse centers are hot
spots for ideas and materials.
Put dimmers on the lights.
Dimmer switches quickly give your dining room the atmosphere of a swank restaurant. You can
use standard incandescent bulbs, but if you prefer fluorescent light, look for
special dimmable bulbs.
Replace your showerhead.
Choose a low-flow unit and you’ll get virtually the same sensation of water flow while
saving money on your water bill. If your showerhead flow is already low (and
shouldn’t be), check to see if hard-water deposits are
clogging the holes.
Redo your backsplash.
Tired of a dull kitchen? Transform the mood of
the kitchen with a bold new backsplash in ceramic or glass tile. Just make sure
the wall is sound before you start the installation.
Swap out the sink.
A new sink can energize a boring bathroom.
Before you replace it, though, consider your needs. You might want to try
standing in front of the model you’re considering and
acting out your morning routine. Will you have enough room to brush your teeth
or put in your contacts? Your choice should balance aesthetics with
practicality.
Replace interior doors.
Update these often-overlooked interior elements
with form and function. Switch a blah door with a finely detailed antique. Or
simply upgrade with solid-core doors, which dampen noise far more efficiently
than the hollow-core doors common in new construction.
Upgrade your flooring.
Installing a hardwood floor can take longer than
a weekend, so choose a material that’s less
time-consuming. Start with anything that comes in a roll, such as sheet vinyl,
which looks better and lasts longer than it used to.
Dress up your fireplace.
If it’s time to replace
that dingy 1970s-era mantel, choose one with enough depth to let you display
pictures or other decorations. If you buy a ready-made mantel, don’t be afraid to paint it or add moldings.
Strip and stain wood cabinets.
Stripping and staining cabinets takes only a
weekend, and it will give your space a major face-lift. Sealing cabinets with
polyurethane will also increase durability. Begin by removing cabinet doors and hardware.
Wipe cabinet fronts and doors with mineral spirits to remove any dirt, dust and grease. Apply a gel-type stripper per manufacturer’s instructions, and then remove the stripper with a plastic
putty knife. Next, sand the wood with sandpaper. Using a disposable sponge
brush, apply stain in the direction of the cabinets’ wood grain. Allow
the stain to dry thoroughly, and seal with polyurethane.