Owning a house is a lot of work – and DIY home projects don’t always go as planned. There’s paint splatter on the carpet, there’s a leak where you just repaired the roof, and the deck you started staining months ago still isn’t finished. Oh, and that new water softener you planned to install last year? It’s still sitting in the garage.
Does any of this sound familiar?
Even the most ambitious do-it-yourselfer can struggle to keep up with DIY projects around the house. Life happens. Fortunately, not every DIY project takes weeks, months, or thousands of dollars to get done. Whether you’re a seasoned pro with a garage full of power tools, or are just getting started (“a jigsaw is a kind of puzzle, right?”), here are seven of our favorite DIY home projects for any homeowner:
DIY Home Projects for Homeowners of All Skill Levels
Entryway
The entryway is the focal point of your home — and the first thing that potential buyers look at when the time comes to sell. Increase your home’s curb appeal and resale value with any one of these simple DIY home improvements:
- Front Door: Repainting your front door in a bright and bold color is a simple, affordable way to instantly make your home more inviting. For an even more eye-popping change, replace the front door entirely. Installation is simple, and you can get a nicely styled steel door for between $200 and $500.
- Potted Plants: Create a small “garden” by the doorway with the addition of potted plants. Mix and match colors for an attractive look.
- House Numbers: Adding decorative house numbers is a simple, budget-friendly change to give your home a more distinguished look.
Hardware
If you’ve got a screwdriver and about 15 minutes, you can easily swap out old kitchen or bathroom hardware. New hardware runs about a buck or two apiece at your local hardware store, and can transform dull kitchen cabinetry or an old bathroom vanity in no time.
> > Bonus: Kitchens and bathroom improvements have some of the highest return-on-investment (ROI) when it comes to increasing your home’s resale value.
Patio
Nothing celebrates summer quite like a backyard barbecue, and what better place to host it than out on a new patio? Check out this excellent guide on installing your own flagstone patio — no mortar required. Or hop on over here for do-it-yourself fire pit ideas.
Lighting
Cast your home in an entirely new light, entertain in style, and keep folks safe with beautiful landscape lighting and outdoor lighting for your fencing, decking, or railing. Depending on what kind of lighting you choose, and with a little research, outdoor lighting is easy to install.
Molding
From relatively straightforward crown molding and beadboard to customized coffered ceilings and wainscoting, adding molding is a great DIY project.
> > Start Small: You don’t have to add molding to the entire room to make a difference. You can easily emphasize features like fireplaces and built-in bookshelves with crown molding accents, or even create a mantel or shelving with thicker pieces.
Fencing
Whether you’re looking to up your home’s curb appeal, add some privacy, or keep kids and pets safe, you can easily install a decent size fence in a single weekend — with time left over to enjoy the pool or some barbecue on the deck. Better yet, fencing materials like aluminum, vinyl, and ornamental steel are highly durable and virtually maintenance free, so you’ll have more time for all your other DIY projects.
>> Get Started: Check out our related blog post to help your fence installation to run smoothly, “Fence Installation Tips for Do-It-Yourselfers.”
Storage
You can never have enough storage space. House Beautiful has a fantastic list of DIY home storage improvements to add more space for your stuff easily and on a budget.
DIY vs. Professional Installation
Whether you’re an experienced do-it-yourselfer or are looking for installation, Maintenance Free Outdoor Solutions is the most experienced and trusted fencing, decking, and outdoor lighting company in St. Louis. To learn more about how we can help with your next project request a free, no-obligation estimate, and download your FREE copy of Understanding the Maintenance-Free Lifestyle:
