Are you looking to update your home without breaking the bank? Whether you just bought a new home and it needs some remodeling or you’re looking to give your well-lived in house a mini-makeover, there are a lot of great DIY home improvement ideas that can help you design the home of your dreams on the cheap. DIY home projects can greatly improve the resale value and overall look of your home, and can easily be completed in a weekend! For cheap home improvement ideas, home remodeling ideas and DIY home ideas, keep reading to discover how you can update your home without spending too much time or money!
#1 Paint Your Front Door — $15 – $30
It’s all about the entryway! If you’re looking for a relatively cheap way to give the exterior of your house a new look, then focus on your front door! When everything else is relatively plain and neutral colors, you can really make your home stand out from others by painting your front door.
To paint your front door, you will need paint that is different from the paint you would use if you were painting inside your home. For exterior surfaces that will be in contact with the elements, the best paint to use is 100% acrylic latex paint. You will most likely need no more than one gallon of paint, which ranges from $15 – $30. This type of paint stands up against the harshness of any and all weather conditions you may face, while also being relatively easy to clean. Make sure to wipe clean your front door before you apply the new coat of paint, so as not to trap dirt and grime in your paint layers.
Not only is this one of the cheapest DIY home projects, but it is also one of the least labor intensive! A couple hours out on a warm, breezy Saturday is all it takes. Regarding the color for your front door, keep in mind that the color you choose will evoke a particular emotion. Bright colors increase energy, while darker or muted colors evoke feelings of relaxation. Whatever you decide, this simple house remodeling trick will give your home a whole new look!
#2 Updated Lighting Fixtures — $25 – $100
Light fixtures can definitely be extremely expensive, but they don’t have to be! If you’re looking for a way to spruce up your lighting, indoor or outdoor, there are a lot of great easy and cheap home improvement ideas and DIY lighting ideas out there! Consider using materials you have in your own home to create super unique lighting fixtures. Old wine bottles, colanders and even old globes can all be used to make unique and one-of-a-kind DIY lighting fixtures. This is one of the cheapest home improvement ideas when you use materials you already have at home!
#3 Remodel Your Staircase — under $50
Though updating your staircase might not be the first thing you think of when you search for easy home improvement ideas, you can improve your home’s value as well as your own enjoyment of your home with this one simple idea! Sometimes, DIY home ideas can end up being pretty costly, even though you’re trying to save money by doing it yourself. However, a staircase remodel doesn’t have to be crazy expensive!
Do you have a carpet staircase and you yearn for beautiful wood stairs?
All you have to do is remove the carpet, the staples, sand your staircase with a sandblaster, stain and paint your stairs! Though it sounds simple, it can be time-consuming. However, what makes this house remodeling idea so great is that it really isn’t that expensive and the end result is a truly transformed home!
#4 Closet Organizer — $100
You don’t have dig into your savings to have a new and improved home — just do a couple DIY home projects here and there when you have the time and a spare $100. Updating your closet with a closet organizer is one such DIY house remodeling idea that you can knock out in a weekend and for less than $100.
Closet organizers, wire or wood shelving systems and built-in shelving units can definitely get up there in price, but there is a way to do it yourself and for cheap. Wire shelving units tend to be cheaper, but you can also find basic closet organizing kits at various home stores for $50 – $75. If you’re looking for an elaborate system, consider starting off with a cheaper kit and then adding accessories or additional sections when you have the time and money.
#5 Maximize Space With Hooks & Shelves — $25 – $150
This is one of the best DIY home improvement ideas to help you increase your home’s value. With built-in shelving units and DIY shelves in key areas of your home, you can increase the amount of storage available, which makes your home much more comfortable and easier to navigate. The cost of built-in shelving units range from $25 to $150 depending on the size, materials and details within the unit. Keep in mind that you should not try to build a shelving unit yourself, unless you are a professional or have extensive experience.
If you’re looking for home improvement ideas that are even easier, consider hanging hooks in key places, such as your home’s entryway, your bathrooms and closets, your kitchen, your mudroom and laundry room. Take any opportunity you can to remove objects from the ground and utilize your wall space so that everything within your home is organized.
#6 Increase Curb Appeal With Raised Flower Beds — $25
In addition to painting your front door (tip #1), another great house remodeling idea to increase curb appeal is to plant raised flower beds in your front yard! With 8-foot-long sections of wood, a few pieces of heavy-duty weed-blocking gardening mats, and some screws to secure it all together, you can have your front yard looking gorgeous in no time! This is one of the best home improvement ideas out there because the addition of planters in your front yard really makes your home come alive!
#7 High Quality Bathroom Fixtures — $40
If you’re looking for easy home improvement ideas, this is one of them! What matters most in your bathroom, above any other remodeling ideas you come across, are the fixtures in your shower and sink. Having high quality bathroom fixtures can automatically and dramatically improve the overall feel of your bathroom.
It’s easy to get carried away with home improvement ideas bathroom, but really what matters most is having nozzles with the appropriate amount of water pressure.
#8 Update Your Accent Pieces — $70
You don’t have to go all out — just one new accent piece in your family room or living room can impact the entire room’s feel. If you look in the right places, it is easy to find a funky end table or colorful accent chair for the affordable price of less than $100. Explore your favorite furniture stores and find an end table or chair that not only speaks to your personality, but also matches the rest of your interior design. Then, consider rearranging the furniture in the room with your new personality-filled accent piece to create a whole new look!
#9 Give Your Walls A Makeover — $45 – $90
Whether it’s a fresh coat of paint or a couple strips of wallpaper, your walls need to look up-to-date for your home to feel new. An easy way to transform an entire room is just to simply paint the walls! No need for furniture additions or organizational updates when the walls look fresh.
Depending on the size of the room, the cost for this house remodeling idea varies. However, if you’re looking to design a feature wall with one wall in your living room decked out in gorgeous wallpaper or coated in fresh, vibrant paint, you can expect the price for this idea to be under $100. You can expect to pay between $15 and $30 per gallon of paint and you will most likely need around 2-3 gallons of paint for an average-sized bedroom. Depending on the wallpaper design you are looking for, this item can get pricey. If you stick with a feature wall, you can be sure this will be one of the least expensive DIY home projects.
#10 Eliminate Excess — free!!
It doesn’t cost a single penny to get rid of all your excess clutter! Though this DIY home improvement idea costs you time and energy, you will be happy you did it after your home is clear of unnecessary objects, furniture pieces and accessories, for example. Whether you have too many clothes or too many end tables, take a weekend to organize the things you really don’t need anymore and find a place to donate them to. This is truly one of the best DIY home improvement ideas out there because there is no expense to you and your home will be able to breathe a little easier afterwards. Don’t put it off — you will feel cleansed after you declutter!
And there you have it! 10 simple and inexpensive DIY home improvement ideas that will be sure to increase the resale value of your home, as well as your own enjoyment within your space.
This post was written by Kara Roberts, blogger and content writer for Canvas Vows. We specialize in creating custom made canvas prints and have been featured in a number of publications, including Brides. For more interior design tips, gift ideas, anniversary celebrations, and personalized canvas creations check out our blog!
