Complete these spring home improvements in 24 hours or less
For most of us, the idea of sprucing up the house probably sounds refreshing after a long rainy winter. Now that spring has arrived, it’s finally time to get started.
To help you spring into warm-weather home improvement, here are 24 simple projects — and each takes 24 hours or less to accomplish.
1. Put a fresh coat of paint on the home’s front door.
Standard paints can take a long time to dry, especially if you live in a humid climate. SnapDry paint from Sherwin-Williams dries in as little as one hour, and you’ll be able to close the door without it sticking. The paint can be used inside or outside the home, and it resists dirt, fingerprints, UV rays and weathering.
2. Update kitchen cabinets.
A growing trend for many homeowners is to change the facades of their kitchen cabinets and paint the wood surfaces instead of staining them. Add new handles and drawer pulls to complete the look for an easy, inexpensive way to give your cabinets a face-lift.
3. Swap out pillows and throws.
You can’t change your couch every time the season changes, but switching out pillows and throws is a great way to give seasonal flare to your living room decor.
4. Create a statement wall.
Installing graphic wallpaper or wood planking on one wall — or simply painting one wall or the ceiling a contrasting color — can add drama to any room in the house.
5. Spruce up the deck to enhance summer enjoyment.
A refinished deck looks great, and doing it doesn’t have to be a lot of work. SuperDeck from Sherwin-Williams goes on fast and easy, and the product protects the integrity of your wood deck. SuperDeck can even reduce the surface temperature of the wood, making the deck barefoot-friendly on a hot summer day.
6. Add “wow” factor to your entryway.
Large planters filled with hardy, bright blooms add curb appeal when positioned on either side of the front door.
7. Update your lighting.
Modern light fixtures in kitchens and bathrooms shed a whole new light — and look — on the room. Consider installing a dimmer so you can create the right mood, any time of the day. While you’re upgrading lighting, be sure to replace those old-style incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient ones that will last longer and cost less to operate.
8. Create a gallery wall.
Hang multiple family photos and/or chic prints in varying frame styles and sizes on one wall of the living room or along a hallway.
9. Rearrange your furniture.
Talk about a no-cost way to get a totally different look! Experiment with different furniture configurations, and don’t be afraid to move pieces from room to room.
10. Create a recharging drawer in your kitchen.
Clean out that junk drawer, add dividers and a power strip, and you have the perfect place for recharging your family’s electronic devices.
11. Install a ceiling fan.
Nothing says spring and summer like a ceiling fan that wafts a gentle breeze through a room. Choose the style and size that’s right for your space. Bonus: ceiling fans can help reduce energy bills by inexpensively supplementing air-conditioning and heating systems.
12. Organize your mudroom.
Whether it’s a formal mudroom or a just corner of the back entryway, every house has a spot where shoes, backpacks and other personal items collect. Organize that area by installing hooks for hanging and cubbies or shoe racks for storage.
13. Add a display shelf above a doorway.
A wooden shelf above a doorway is a great place to feature collectibles.
14. Add vintage class to a powder room.
Replace the ordinary doorknob on your powder-room door with a vintage or replica glass knob. 15. Install decorative house numbers. You can purchase decorative tile or glass numerals from a variety of sources.
16. Stencil in some fun.
Add animal or character stencils to the walls of a child’s room, a staircase or the kitchen, or decorate a patio table for a quick, artsy take.
17. Add a ceiling medallion.
Draw attention to a light fixture by installing a decorative ceiling medallion that has a slightly different color than the ceiling. This can be especially eye-catching in a formal dining room.
18. Replace the kitchen faucet.
A new kitchen faucet can be practical and decorative — and it can also control water flow, saving money. 19. Pressure-wash your home’s siding and walkways. Power washing exterior home areas makes siding and walkways look fresh.
20. Hang a new mirror in the bathroom.
Installing a decorative framed mirror in place of a standard bathroom mirror adds interest, elegance and even light to the space.
21. Put up a decorative decal in the laundry room.
Create some fun in the laundry area by adding a decal with a humorous saying, such as “Life is too short to fold fitted sheets!” or a whimsical image.
22. Upgrade bathroom towel storage.
Replace those builder-issue towel bars and rings with decorative options that add pizzazz.
23. Create your own art using a shower curtain.
Love large-scale artwork but have a smaller-scale budget? Shower curtains aren’t just for the bathtub: Use wood to frame a decorative shower curtain and transform it into instant wall art.
24. Wash the windows.
What’s the one spring do-it-yourself task that will make all the others in your home look even better? Wash windows to allow spring and summer sunlight into your home.
Trying just a few of these easy home-improvement tasks is a fast, easy way to perk up your home for spring and summer.
— Courtesy of Brandpoint