Embrace the New Year with a refreshing new look for your home. This year, let’s put the phrase “out with the old, in with the new” into action. Don’t worry! Home renovations need not be an expensive or daunting task.
With a dash of creativity and some DIY magic, you can give your home a quick and easy yet stylish makeover without draining your savings. To help you get started, here are some trending, easy, and affordable DIY home upgrades you can try.
Paint Kit
Instead of spending much money and effort on replacing your countertops, you can use a DIY paint kit to give them a granite-like look. Most paint kits can cover up to 35 square feet or 16 running feet of 24-inch wide countertops.
For around a hundred dollars, you’ll find all the essentials in the package. These generally include a primer, three mineral coats, an acrylic top coat, a roller arm (approx. 6”) with two pads, a paint sponge (approx. 4”), and a foam brush (approx. 2”). Note that these still vary depending on the company.
A band may still be a lot for many, but still, compared to granite countertops, it’s so much more affordable. The cost of granite countertops falls between $2,000 and $4,500, with an average cost of $3,250 across the country. Generally, slabs of material are priced at around $40 to $60 per square foot, while labor costs range from $35 to $85 per hour.
If you want to change your countertops with a DIY paint kit but your budget is still insufficient, consider taking small, short-term loans. Take advantage of quick and easy loans. As the name implies, they have an easier application process and faster fund disbursal than other traditional lenders, usually regardless of your current credit standing. Just do your due diligence and opt for reputable and regulated lenders to avoid predatory lending.
Grout Pens
If you have white 12-inch tiles in your house that are 20 years old, you might notice that the grout starts to get dark over time. Even worse, no matter how much scrubbing you do, they just won’t go away. Fortunately, grout pens can come to the rescue! You can start by cleaning the grout and letting it dry until the next day. Then, you can use a grout pen to make it look brand-new.
Regardless of the company, grout pens are just usually less than $10 but can already cover up to 150 feet of grout area. Plus, many are mold-resistant and waterproof, ensuring you can keep your grout looking crystal clear and sparkling white for longer.
For a better experience, remember these two tips. Firstly, if the pen tip looks damaged, you can pull it out and turn it over. Surprisingly, it’s just the same on both ends. Lastly, after you apply the grout pen, just run your finger down the grout line and wipe down the tile line with a paper towel. It will help you avoid any other cleanup and save you more time.
Door Draft Stoppers
Door draft stoppers are a simple and effective solution to keep your rooms warm and cozy. These handy devices fill gaps between your doors and floors, preventing cold air from entering and warm air from escaping the room.
Door draft stoppers come in various shapes and designs, so you can easily find one that suits your needs and taste. They’re made from different materials, such as plastic, silicone, foam, or metal, which can help you stay comfortable in any season and save on energy bills.
They can also help reduce noise. Blocking gaps under the door doesn’t only keep the temperature in or out of a room but also soundproof it. However, note that they block sound to a minimal level – more or less 4dB noise reduction. They’re much more advisable for draft reduction and thermal insulation between rooms.
Furniture Repair Kit
If you have any scratches or nicks on your furniture that bother you, you can use a furniture repair kit to cover them up. This kit helps conceal any wear and tear without replacing your furniture completely.
This kit usually costs around $10. With such a small cost, it already contains six around-wood markers and six wax sticks that can match any shade of wood. It also comes with markers in maple, oak, cherry, walnut, mahogany, and black, along with a wax stick sharpener.
Here’s how to use it. For example, if you tried to build a piece of furniture yourself but accidentally drilled it in the wrong places, you can use the kit’s crayons to fill the holes. If there are scratches, use the same color stain marker to fix them.
Final Thoughts
Giving your home its much-needed makeover doesn’t necessarily mean draining your wallet. With these simple DIY home upgrade ideas, planning, and a can-do spirit, you can bring a refreshing change to your space while staying within your budget.