Finding time to tackle home projects can be challenging when life gets busy. Life has a radically different rhythm these days – especially if you are homebound due to the COVID-19 outbreak. So let’s take advantage of the time and spruce up our homes! Tackling the right updates will add value to your home and give us all something to do while self-quarantined.
UPDATING HARDWARE AND FIXTURES
The idea of completely remodeling a kitchen or bathroom sounds intimidating and expensive. But making some simple changes can produce a huge difference in the look and feel of your space without breaking the bank. Now is a great time to whip out the tool box, and swap out those dated vanity lights, knobs/pulls, and faucets. If you shop around on Amazon, you’ll be surprised how affordable some of their options are!
PAINTING INTERIOR DOORS
Interior doors show everything! Dirt, fingerprints, scratches… Now is a great time to set a simple goal of cleaning and painting one interior door a day. Push the envelope and consider painting your interior doors slate or black to make a design statement. Not everything needs to be white!
RE-CAULK AND GROUT
Like doors – your bathtub shows everything. Dirt, grime, mold, calcium, you name it. Now is a great time to scrub those bathtubs, re-caulk the seams, and grout where needed. Nothing feels better than a clean bathtub!
GROUND LEVEL DECK
If you are anything like me – your backyard has awkward areas that feel like wasted space. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, consider maximizing the potential of these spaces by building a ground level deck. Ground level deck packages like the one shown below can be purchased from Menards for as little as $500-$900. Your summer-self will thank thee.
ACCENT WALL WALLPAPER
I decided after the 90s that wallpaper is off limits. Not anymore! Wallpapering an entire room might be overkill, or it might feel too intimidating to tackle. But papering an accent wall in a bland space can bring depth, character, and texture to a space. And yes – this can be done yourself!
DON’T BE AFRAID OF COLOR
Everyone has that one room in their house that they absolutely hate. For most people, it’s their laundry room – always used for utility; never used for enjoyment. I challenge you to choose your least favorite room in the house and paint it a color that gets you excited. This won’t make you enjoy doing your laundry, but the room-vibe will make you cringe a little less when you have to fold clothes!
ADD HISTORIC CHARACTER TO YOUR HOME
I walk through a lot of homes as a real estate agent. I have to admit that a lot of homes are starting to look the same these days: white/gray walls, white trim, white doors, modern fixtures, vinyl floors, etc. It is 100% possible to inject character into a home! Consider visiting your local antique store and find a fixture, door, or wall decor piece that has historic charm. You can give a modern space depth and character by refurbishing a 100 year old piece into the space. Imagine how bland this room would look without this 100 year old door?!
BRIGHTEN UP THE BASEBOARDS
Baseboards are a nightmare. They attract scuffs, dog hair, and dirt 24/7. If you can’t tell where your wall ends and the floor begins, it’s time to paint them! Repainting your baseboards will restore your faith in your home – trust me. Just take it a room at a time.
LANDSCAPING AND OUTDOOR PROJECTS
Since home improvement stores are considered essential services, they are still open and offering delivery. You can save time and energy by having Menards ship mulch and landscaping stones to your home for as little as $50-$90. Just think of how much regret we will have if we wait to tackle landscaping until after COVID19!
WHITE OUTLETS
This one is a big pet peeve of mine. I’m not against almond colored receptacles and covers (if it works with your design scheme). What I AM against is when they do not match. Receptacles and cover plates are only a couple bucks. Come on folks – we can do this!
