Small Changes. Big Impact.
posted
April 7, 2020
in
Home & Mortgage
In our current situation, many folks are finding things to keep themselves busy while also being productive. This is the perfect time to dust off your old project list and start tackling tasks, minor or major, while social distancing. Even small projects and changes can have an impact on the overall appeal and value of your home. We’ve compiled a list of projects anyone with general knowledge can handle that will give you instant gratification and keep your wallet happy!
Painting.
This is a no-brainer project that can make a dramatic transformation in any space. While choosing the perfect color can be quite a challenge, it’s well worth it to take the time to find the perfect color, sheen and amount of paint needed. Also, realizing paint isn’t just for walls can open up more projects for you. Kitchen cabinets, furniture, bathroom vanities, shutters, trim, front entry doors, siding, ceilings, flower pots..the options are endless!
Pro tip: if you see a great discount on your favorite type of paint but aren’t sure on the color you’d like to choose yet, ask the paint department if you can purchase the paint untinted and come back in when you land on your color to have the color mixed in!
Hardware swap.
Swapping out your kitchen and bathroom hardware can add instant identity to your home for minimal cost. We’ve found you can find great deals on these types of products on Amazon that can help your box store sticker shock. Comparing prices in this product category can help save money and open your eyes to styles you might not have considered.
You can also inexpensively swap out your interior doorknobs and hinges to your preferred metal of choice by buying in bulk. This is another product you can save big dollars on by shopping around.
Pro tip: You may be able to resell your original hardware on places like Facebook Marketplace, craigslist or by simply asking family and friends. If you aren’t able to sell, consider donating to a local restoration hardware store so they can find their way into the hands of someone in need.
Power outlet and light switch swap.
I think many of us would agree whoever’s design idea it was to install almond-colored outlets, light switches and wall plates throughout most homes wasn’t thinking about the future. While there is nothing wrong with the color, making a change to a more modern color or decorative wall plates is an incredibly affordable way to spruce up the interior of your home. This can also help fix any outlets that may have loosened over time or any light switches you’d like to change to dimmer, or three-way switches. Again, making one small change, while time consuming, can help fix other pesky issues you’ve grown to live with.
Start by making a list of the various types of materials you need, you’ll be surprised how many different kinds of outlets, switches and wall plates you have in your house! Also pay attention to the size of the wall plates. All of this will help when you get to the store and see the many options out there and know where you can afford to buy the 10 pack and when you need to buy individually.
House numbers.
Adding house numbers near your front entry or on your mailbox can add unique charm and help mail carriers and delivery drivers find your home much easier. Like our other project ideas, this is very inexpensive and very quick! You may choose the simplistic route of mounting numbers directly onto your siding or mailbox, or you can go more decorative and make a structure to mount the numbers on. Pinterest is a great resource to gather inspiration, we particularly like this rustic flower box concept!
Landscaping.
This is probably the most intimidating project from our list of ideas, as it can be hard to know what plants to buy, where to plant them and how to care for them. If you are leery about spending money on landscaping, know there are ways to add curb appeal to your home without spending anything! First, take into account what you already have in place. More than likely, there are already plants in your flower beds, you just may not know what they are or may not be able to see them yet, as it’s still fairly early in the season. There are several resources to learn about your situation. Such as looking online, or our personal favorite, taking a photo and a cutting of the foliage to your local garden center for advice. Speaking to experts in your area is exponentially more helpful, as garden center staff can typically explain how to care for the plant in your exact climate since they too live in your area.
If you are on a tight budget, the first place to start ‘shopping’ for plants is at your family and friend’s homes this time of year! This is the perfect time to split and transplant perennials (plants that return year after year) from one place to another, meaning you can take sections of others’ plants to your own landscape for free. We do recommend asking them nicely first! A few great beginner plants that are very adaptable, forgiving and beautiful are sedum, hostas, and day lilies. A great resource for inspiration for landscaping is Garden Answer on social media and YouTube. Laura has a wonderful way of describing a huge variety of plants in a very easy to understand way!
Garden/yard decorations.
Another excellent way to add character to your home is by adding exterior decorations. For most, it’s not in the budget to replace or paint the siding your dream home color, but there are still plenty of ways to add your own personal touch to the exterior of your home as well as the interior. Our last two suggestions will definitely help with this, but some additional details can set your home apart from the rest. Things such as shepherds hooks with hanging flower baskets, bird feeders, lanterns, tiki torches, flower planters, Adirondack chairs, bird baths, lights, door mats, rain gauges, patio table with umbrella, and weather vanes, can all help bring the style of the interior of your home outside.