You don’t need to plan a major renovation or remodel to make a big impact in your home. There are some really simple things that you can do on your own, probably in a weekend, that can take your home from cookie-cutter to custom. Also, these projects don’t require any special tools, so you can probably get away with the ones that are already in your garage. Here are three easy project that will make your home stand out from the pack.
My favorite, and easiest, project is changing out door knobs. Many people skip over this small detail in the home, but after it’s finished you’ll wonder how any one sticks with the lame brass knobs that come with homes when they’re built. Vintage glass door knobs are popular right now, and are very affordable. You can find them at antique and second hand stores for a few bucks a piece. Crystal door knobs are classic and timeless. They look great in every home, and come in a huge array of colors, shapes, and sizes. To save money on these, buy them online when you can find good deals on shipping. They’re usually more expensive locally, and cost a small fortune to ship.
Another really simple and affordable DIY project is to upgrade the hinges on your doors. This is another of those small details that most people overlook, but once it’s complete it gives a home a very finished look. Most people will do this after they do the door knobs and find ones that match.
Light fixtures are another very easy thing to upgrade. The trick to keeping this extremely simple is to buy new fixtures that can can be swapped out with your existing ones. This turns installation into just removing the old one and putting the new one in (with the power off, obviously). Fixtures that are relatively the same size and shape will normally fit this category.
DIY projects not only improve your home, they also give you a major confidence boost. Every time you open that door or turn on that light, you’ll know that you were the one that installed it. It’s an awesome feeling!