Home Improvement: Big Projects & DIY Ideas

These days we have all spent a lot of time at home due to the global pandemic. After you’ve finished off the puzzles and games, many people are considering small or large remodeling projects to improve their space. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your kitchen, redesign your bathroom or even create a new work space for you or others in your family- we’ve put together some helpful tips and information to get you started.

How To Remodel Your Kitchen

With regard to return on investment, a kitchen remodel is a great way to not only improve your space, but also increase the value of your home. Remodeling your kitchen will also bring you joy and potentially increased utility. After all, it’s one of the rooms where we congregate and spend a lot of time. When considering a Kitchen Remodel, most of the time you will need to hire a professional contractor. Make sure to get a great recommendation and evaluate bids. Remember- most of the time you get what you pay for with regard to quality and craftsmanship.

On average, many people spend between $15,000-$50,000 for the kitchen remodeling. However, if you’re looking to save- there are a few areas that you can do yourself. .

Consider the following:

Hire A Professional Kitchen Designer

The best thing that you can do for yourself is hiring a professional. When it comes to trends, selections on finishes and appliances- a trained eye will pay dividends for you on the finished product.

A kitchen designer can help you with:

Developing a vision for your kitchen. You can expect what your kitchen would look like!
A professional kitchen designer can help you with design plans with relevant drawings and 3D models.
Selecting the right products and materials for your kitchen.

The kitchen designer can cost anywhere between $65-$250 per hour.Paint Your Kitchen

If you can’t hire a professional and don’t have the budget, don’t worry. A coat of paint can go a long way in regard to improving the look and feel of your space. Compared to other improvements you can do, painting is relatively cheap. Plan on paying $10-$30 a gallon depending on the paint you select. Don’t forget tape, mask and paintbrushes…!

Upgrade Your Kitchen Cabinets:

Replacing your old kitchen cabinets with new ones can make a world of a difference. However, crafting and installing new cabinets is usually one of the most expensive improvements you can do in a kitchen. If you can live with your existing cabinets think about a few cosmetic improvements. New handle and drawer pulls can completely change the look of your cabinets and drawers as well as update the look of your space. In addition, painting the cabinets instead of replacing them is a fantastic way to save on your overall budget. When it comes to painting cabinets- it is typically a good idea to leave it to a painting professional. The main reason is that most cabinets are painted with high gloss enamel, and sprayed on with a professional paint sprayer. Unless you know what you’re doing- your cabinets can turn out worse than you started if you try to do it yourself.

Don’t Forget The Kitchen Countertops:

Adding new countertops and a new backsplash is a great way to update the style and look of your kitchen. Countertops aren’t cheap- but paying a bit more for a high quality composite counter or a solid stone like marble will create a finished product that you will love for years to come.

Change The Flooring:

Many people forget to include allocating budget for new flooring in their remodeling plans. In short- if you’re upgrading the counters and cabinets- the old floor will stick out like a sore thumb if you don’t change it. Costs vary greatly depending on if you’re considering a laminate, tile, or hardwood. Back of the envelope pricing:

A Hardwood floor can cost $4000.
A ceramic tile can be up to $1600.
A porcelain tile can be up to $2300.

New Appliances:

Updating your appliances is a must with regard to a kitchen remodel. Replacing a refrigerator, range, and dishwasher covers the basics. Most people will look to match the brand and finish of the appliances they select. Again, you get what you pay for when it comes to higher end appliances- but not only will you benefit from spending a bit more up front- but high quality kitchen appliances are a big factor in influencing the resale price of your home or apartment.

Here are some examples of appliances to consider:

DIY Home Improvement Ideas

If you don’t have the budget for a major remodel like a kitchen, there are many projects you can tackle yourself that will improve your space. We’ve highlighted a few ideas below:

Painting Walls and Trim

You’ll be surprised at what a coat of paint can do to improve the look of your house. Anybody can paint- but not everyone can paint well! Follow these few tips to ensure your paint job comes out looking professional:

Preparation is EVERYTHING! Taping off and masking what you don’t want painted is almost more important than the painting itself. You are bound to drip paint and make mistakes. If you have prepped your area correctly first, you will save yourself the headache of fixing your mistakes later.
Spackle & Painters Putty- Make cracks and nail holes disappear like magic. Paint by itself typically isn’t thick enough to cover up wall cracks. Put spackle on holes and cracks. Make sure to leave a little extra on- since you will be sanding it off when the spackle dries.
Sand the walls lightly before you start painting: Buy a few coarse grit sanding sponges and lightly sand the space you’re going to paint. After you sand, sweep off the dust with a dry brush. This will ensure that your paint won’t peel later.
Spray, Roll On, or Brush? For most DIY’ers, we recommend paint rollers with a 1/2 inch knap. Combine this with a 2″brush for detail work in corners and baseboards for a good finished product. Keep the paint roller and paint brush full of paint- if you do, you can get away with finishing a room with one coat.
Instead of a paint tray, get a five-gallon bucket and a drop in paint screen. This method is easy to move around and will help you minimize spills and messes.

Add Suitable Lighting

Gone are the days when traditional lights and lightbulbs are your only choice. Now is the time for modern lights! Even Alexa can switch on the lights for you. Yes, you can make your life easy by adding modern systems. Here are a few ideas for lighting.

However, when you are a little tight on the budget, you can consider LED lights. These LED lights are energy-efficient and thus, would be suitable in the long run. They emit bright light and make your rooms more relaxed. The dimming capability of the LED lights can make these your favorite.

Check out some LED lights here. You can see what prices are suitable for you.

Spruce Up your Space with Art

Art is personal, but investing in a few great pieces can really change the feel of your space.

Check out some styles here. You’ll find that you don’t have to break the bank to have some great art pieces in your house. You can get some styles from Amazon too. It totally depends on what you prefer! Plus, Facebook Marketplace is another place to look for.

Updating FurnitureAnother thing that you can do at your home is to change your furniture. It’s possible that you have been using the same sofa since your 25-year-old kid was a baby! Now it’s time to upgrade your furniture items. We’ve included some links to give you some ideas below :

Add Home Furnishings

Table linens, pillows, curtains, and accent pieces can add a lot of style to your space.

You just need to have the right taste for selecting such items. You should know what color curtain would look great with the furniture in your living room. Everything should complement each other. You can invest in such items based on the theme of the rooms. You can find different price ranges starting from as low as $32 or maybe even less!

Changing Layout

If you don’t plan on spending anything at all, this idea is for you! Yes, you hear that right.

All you need to do is change the layout of the furniture in your rooms. Maybe change the direction of your bed and your sofa. Play with different designs. Find the best angle! Plus, learn the art of organizing the items in your house. You can start by keeping your wardrobe organized. Donate everything that’s in good condition, but you no longer use it. Remember what Mary Kondo said! “Sparks joy!” Your whole house should be warm and welcoming. Try giving it an ambiance like that.

Creating A Home Office

Working from home is not everyone’s cup of tea. You require patience and discipline. You have to develop a mindset that you can actually work from the comfort of your home. You can make a basic home office for as little as $150.

You can simply create a home office. Just find a suitable space in your house where you can create your special corner. It doesn’t have to be lavish. Check out these small home offices for your inspiration.

Creating A Mini School

You are not alone…literally not alone during such times. Now that the kids are with you all the time, it’s time to create a mini-school. It’s important to provide a suitable ambiance for your kids where they can study with full attention. You can even make a small library corner. Check out these ideas for inspiration.

Develop A Special Corner of Your Space

Now, this point is quite interesting. It’s about developing a special corner in your house. You could be working from home or you could be a stay-at-home mom or dad. You might think you don’t even need a home office. Create a special corner even if you don’t work or don’t have kids. This corner of the house would belong just to you. It may be your balcony. Check out these ideas for a cozy balcony Or you can just make the corners of the house useful- check out these ideas for awkward corners.

Some Ideas For A Limited Space

Who said you just need a lavish space for adding style to your home. You can do a lot in limited space. You just have to be creative. It’s possible to take advantage of the space under your staircase. You can convert it into a home office or maybe your small library, depending on what you prefer. Check out these ideas and see for yourself how much is possible even when the space is limited.

Wrapping It Up

Staying home might not be as boring as you think it is. You just have to level up! It doesn’t mean you should spend a fortune. You can do little changes here and there to make a huge impact on your life. Just painting the walls of your house can make a huge impact. You can simply redecorate the rooms! However, if you don’t mind spending money and if you are able to get suitable contractors or professional kitchen designers, you can do a lot. Plus, remodeling your house would keep you busy. The key here is to stay busy! You can do it. You can manage everything within your budget with limited space. Try to be creative. Find suitable ideas for your inspiration…..

Make Your Space A Happy Place to Be!