DIY Home Renovations: Discover 39 Easy Upgrades You Can Complete on Your Own
renovate your space on a budget with these easy DIY projects!
1. Use an oil stain remover to eliminate those stubborn grease stains on your garage or driveway, turning it from a eyesore to eye-catching.
2. Transform your home's curb appeal with affordable solutions like magnetic garage handles and faux windows. No need for expensive carriage-style doors!
3. Easily install NoNo Brackets to hang curtains on your existing blinds without drilling any holes or worrying about spackling or moving fees.
Promising review: "This bracket is awesome and was extremely easy to install. We were able to hang curtains over our vertical blinds in just a few minutes and didn't even need any tools. Great product!!!" - Amazon Customer
Get a set of two from Amazon for $21.95 (also available in brown, gold, and brass).
4. If you're willing to drill some holes, hang curtain rods 6-12 inches above the top of your windows to make your ceilings feel taller. Trust us, it won't look weird!
Promising review: "Just hang the panels and enjoy! Not too heavy and the quality is pretty good." - Amazon Customer
Get two curtain panels from Amazon for $29.99 (available in two sizes and nine curtain patterns).
5. Replace that long, outdated pillow with a door draft stopper to keep your home's temperature just right. It'll blend seamlessly with your door, allowing your other decor to shine!
6. Mount a floating bookshelf to show off your to-read pile and declutter your space.
7. Use a guided gallery wall kit to get started on your wall art without breaking the bank. It comes with frames, a hanging template, hardware, and prints.
Promising review: "This is an excellent kit for creating gallery walls. I highly recommend it for anyone hesitant about hanging their own frames. It takes the stress out of measuring, creating a symmetrical design, and hammering nails into the wall." - Amazon Customer
Get a kit from Amazon for $34.99 (also available in other sizes).
8. Cover up discoloration and dings on door frames and molding with wood scratch cover. No sanding or refinishing required!
Promising review: "I can't believe how well Old English works! I recently purchased a home where a dog previously lived and had horribly scratched the woodwork. Old English saved me a lot of work!" - Behold Behold!
Get a four-pack from Amazon for $26.77.
9. Fix smaller scratches on furniture with a set of wood repair markers.
10. Give your bathroom or kitchen a facelift with self-adhesive marble lookalike film. No need for an expensive remodel!
Promising review: "The pattern actually looks like marble, not a weird pixel-y repetitive pattern so that's great as well. Also it was delivered same day which was miraculous as my DIY initiative tends to fade approximately 48 hours after I discover a project I want to do." - Spencer House
Get it from Amazon for $10.98 (available in two styles and three colors).
11. Add under-cabinet lights to modernize your outdated cabinets. It'll make your kitchen look expensive!
12. Hang fishing rod organizers on your garage door to make room for parking your car.
13. String up waterproof globe lights for big style impact. They look great along rooflines, on outdoor structures, or on their own.
Promising review: "These lights were perfect for my patio, I've received plenty of compliments so far. The Edison light bulbs and beautiful and offer the perfect amount of lighting for any occasion...the clips were ideal for my eaves, the overhang of the roof, which made for simple installation...now just need to find a dimmer capable of handling the required wattage and the package will be complete." - Brody Vins
Get a strand from Amazon for $15.57 (available in four styles and eight lengths).
14. Stake solar lights along a walkway or pond for easy lighting.
Promising review: "Impressed with the size of the cell which provides a larger surface area for charging. The lights are the brightest I've seen for a solar light and the illumination covers a nice range. Placed them along my pond giving the place a classy look." - Percussionist
Get six from Amazon for $19.99.
15. Update your switch plates for a more cohesive look. And if you're feeling sneaky, you can save them with a piece of marked duct tape so you know where to put them when you move out.
Promising review: "I can't express how great this switch plate set is! The finish is smooth, the heft is decent, and they look fantastic installed. The adhesive back stands up over time, so these plates are not just a one-and-done quick fix. Highly recommended!" - Droste Effect
Get a 10-pack of switch plates for $10.99, and a 10-pack of plug-in outlet covers for $8.99.
16. Install an outlet shelf for a functional and stylish solution for your electric toothbrush.
17. Remove blinds and install window film for privacy without the need for cords. It still lets in plenty of light!
Promising review: "I love these privacy film! I put it on the sliding doors on my balcony so I can now walk around with less fear. It's easy to put on and my landlord won't be mad!" - Anonymous
Get a roll from Amazon for $39.95 (available in various sizes).
18. Install a metal kick plate on your front door to protect it from shoe prints and scuffs.
Promising review: "It arrived quickly and in perfect condition. There is a layer of protective plastic film over the metal to keep it from getting scratched or damaged. It comes with matching screws. I pre-drilled the holes to make the installation easier. Easy upgrade project that can make your door more beautiful or is great for hiding damage." - kmr
Get it from Amazon for $37.05.
19. Use leather conditioner to revive your leather goods, even large pieces like a couch.
20. Clean your toilet with a pumice stone toilet bowl cleaner to remove rings without the need for harsh chemicals.
21. Use an automatic bleach toilet cleaning system to keep your toilet clean with every flush. It's a start!
22. Use interlocking teak tiles to cover up that old concrete patio slab. It looks brand new!
23. Use an electrical cord cover to hide unsightly cords in plain sight.
24. Cover up wire fencing or railings with faux ivy for added privacy.
25. Use a grout pen to refresh your floor's grout and make it look brand new.
26. Paint your fridge to give it a stylish, "stainless steel" look.
27. Use stove burner covers to protect your stove from spills and make it easier to clean.
28. Use touch-up paint to cover up chips and marks.
Promising review: "Rather than ditching furniture into a landfill, which is bad for the environment and one's pocketbook, this product allows you to give new life to existing furniture. Between the Soto touchup and new handles, my entertainment center looks like new....for less than $35. If you can use liquid paper, you can use this. I just ordered another bottle for porcelain. This is a fantastic product. You will love it!" - LexiNYC
Get it from Amazon for $18.95 (available in 24 colors).
29. Mount a broom and mop organizer on a closet wall to keep your cleaning supplies organized.
30. Clean out the lint from your dryer with a special brush to make your dryer more efficient and safe.
31. Use peel-and-stick wallpaper to add a pop of color or pattern to your space.
32. Invest in an indoor-friendly hammock chair to create a cozy outdoor seating area.
33. Use a dog spot repair kit to fill in and repair damaged areas of your lawn.
Promising review: "We purchased this to fill some patches in our backyard that were damaged by our puppy. Works like a charm. The one caveat is that you really do have to water it a bit every day. Once it takes off though, it grows pretty quickly! Within one week of planting this, we had 1-inch long grass blades. One month later, all the patches are gone. Highly recommended!" - Jessica N.
Get it from Amazon for $11.03 (available in five sizes).
34. Use a standing weeder to keep your yard weed-free without the need for harsh chemicals.
35. Get a night-light for your bed to light up your path in the middle of the night without turning on harsh lights.
36. Use a water-mark removing cloth to remove unsightly water stains from your nightstand.
37. Fill and cover up holes in your drywall with a drywall repair putty.
Promising review: "Does exactly what it says. Rather than getting spackle, waiting for it to dry, sanding it down, and tweaking as needed - this cuts the time/effort down! Just rub over the place in need of patching and wipe off the excess. The hardest part is not accidentally getting the product on parts of the wall that don't need it, but that's easy to clean up, so it's not a problem. I used this to patch holes in the wall from a former Wi-Fi router and modem, other than the color difference from the patch to the paint, you'd never know it was patched. Great price, easy to use." - Amanda
Get it from Amazon for $11.89.
38. Use a peel-and-stick faux-gel tile backsplash to give your kitchen a modern, elegant look.
Promising review: "We did a kitchen facelift this summer, repainting and making everything look fresh. We were looking at The Home Depot version of these, which are more than double the price. We decided to go for these instead and they are amazing!! I put them up myself in about two hours. I did buy the adhesive spray just in case but it wasn't needed, even for the few I had to peel off and re-stick to center correctly. These aren't too difficult to apply but definitely require patience. It is 100% worth the buy for a DIY affordable update!" - Hope Consilvio
Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $29.60.
39. Use a kitchen cabinet painting kit to give your kitchen a facelift without the need for stripping or priming.
Enrichment Data: Before starting any renovation project, it's important to set a budget and prioritize which areas need the most attention. Here are some affordable DIY ideas to help you achieve the desired look without breaking the bank:
- Paint: A fresh coat of paint in a new color can drastically change the look of a room. Consider using high-quality paint with a satin or semi-gloss finish for easy cleanup.
- Update Lighting: Replace outdated lighting fixtures with modern ones. You can also add under-cabinet lighting for a more contemporary look.
- Replace Hardware: Replace door handles, knobs, and cabinet hardware with new ones to give your space a fresh, updated look.
- Replace Decorative Moldings: Add or replace decorative moldings to add architectural detail to your space. Peel-and-stick moldings are an easy and affordable option.
- Install New Flooring: Consider vinyl plank or laminate flooring for an affordable and easy-to-install option.
- Add Storage: Add shelves, cabinets, or a bookshelf to create additional storage. If you don't have space for a bookshelf, consider using a wall-mounted shelf or ladder shelf.
- Update the Kitchen Backsplash: Upgrade your backsplash with peel-and-stick tiles or a fresh coat of paint.
- Paint the Front Door: A fresh coat of paint on your front door can make a big impact and boost your home's curb appeal.
- Add Rugs: Area rugs can add style and warmth to your space. Consider using a patterned rug to add visual interest.
- Upgrade Your Bathroom: Consider updating the hardware on your vanity, adding a new mirror, or painting the walls.
- Replace Window Treatments: Upgrade your window treatments with new curtains, shades, or blinds.
- Install Molding or Crown Molding: Adding molding or crown molding can create a more polished and finished look in your space.
- Install New Baseboards: Upgrade the look of your baseboards with new ones or paint them to match the walls.
- Add Window Seats: Add a window seat to create additional seating and storage.
- Create a Gallery Wall: Create a gallery wall with photos, art, or memorabilia to add personality to your space.
- To make your driveway more attractive, remove stubborn grease stains using an oil stain remover. This transformation will turn it from an eyesore into a sight to behold.
- Enhance your home's curb appeal by updating door frames and molding with wood scratch cover. This process requires no sanding or refinishing, making it an easy and affordable solution.
- Display your to-read pile and declutter your space by mounting a floating bookshelf. This DIY project is simple and doesn't require any drilling or special equipment.
- Transform your bathroom or kitchen with self-adhesive marble lookalike film. This affordable facelift is an excellent alternative to an expensive remodel.
- Congratulate yourself after successfully installing NoNo Brackets to hang curtains on your existing blinds. This easy-to-use product requires no drilling or digging holes, making it a great option for a quick and efficient update.
