As a DIY pro, you always look for ways to improve your home through various projects. The truth is, not all DIY projects for the home have to take all your time and resources. There are many minor DIY projects that you can try right away. Most of these will help you unleash your creativity and create something unique and personalized for your interior or exterior space. If you’re looking for easy and fun projects to refresh your home this year, we have listed some incredible DIY projects you should try.
1. Repaint Your Kitchen Cabinets
Repainting is one of the cost-effective ways of refreshing your home and is a popular part of residential remodeling. If your cabinets are in good condition, repainting them can be a great DIY project on a boring weekend. Whether you intend to paint the old color or wish to apply your new favorite, painting doesn’t require the help of a kitchen cabinet designer. However, if you’re unsure about the cabinet style, color, or overall kitchen design, consulting as a designer can be beneficial. They provide expert advice on hardware options, color combinations, and layout to help you achieve an aesthetically pleasing and cohesive kitchen design.
While it’s not a complex project, you need to carefully plan how to complete it with minimal interruption to the regular running of your home. Apart from gathering all materials, such as sandpaper, paint, paintbrushes, drop clothes, and cleaning supplies, you must remove all cabinet hardware, such as knobs and handles, for smooth painting. Patience and attention to detail are crucial to achieving that professional-looking result in your DIY project. Take your time to prepare surfaces and use high-quality materials for excellent results. With little effort, patience, and creativity, you can achieve that refreshed kitchen space without breaking the bank.
2. Install a New Water Heater
If you are a DIY expert, you probably know how money-saving some DIY projects for your home can be. One of these projects is installing a new water heater. However, we recommend assessing the pros and cons of taking on this project, as it can be a complex task, especially if you’re unfamiliar with plumbing and gas connections. Improper water heater installation can lead to leaks, damages, and other safety hazards such as fires. That means taking precautions such as turning off the water supply and any related power sources before starting a water heater repair or installation.
You must also follow the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines for your specific water heater model. If you’re unsure about a specific step, seek guidance from manuals and online tutorials. You could even consult a professional for advice. Double-check all connections for leaks and ensure the water heater is securely in place. You must also be aware of your local building codes and regulations. Violating these codes can land you in trouble with the authorities. If your water heater system is too complex, you may need the help of a licensed plumber to ensure the work is done smoothly and up to code. Overall, this is a rewarding DIY project that will weigh your skills and knowledge.
3. Clean Your Carpets
Carpet cleaning may not be your cup of tea, but did you know you could turn it into an exciting DIY project? Instead of calling your carpet cleaner to clean your carpets, why not do it yourself this weekend? This can turn out to be a fun project, especially when you involve the whole family. Besides saving money, you will achieve a more hygienic and fresh home while getting that sense of accomplishment. To get this done, gather your carpets in the cleaning space and assemble the necessary materials for cleaning. You will generally need a vacuum cleaner, carpet cleaning solution, scrub brush or cleaning machine, towels, fan, or air mover for drying.
Remember to get a carpet cleaning solution that works for your carpet type. To make your work easier, use a hose to spray water and pay attention to the high-traffic sections, such as the corners. Note that this can be a time-consuming task. So only start when you have time. Heavily soiled or tough stains may require professional cleaning. Wear the proper cleaning gear, including a mask, when vacuuming and cleaning, and ensure proper ventilation.
4. Build a Deck
If you plan to build a deck in your outdoor space, you don’t have to call a deck builder to do it for you. However, assessing your level of experience and the design you want is essential before starting the project. Deck building requires some planning, including getting permits from your lack of authority. Also, assess the space where you want to build the deck and determine the shape, size, and materials you’ll need. The most common materials for deck building include decking boards, joists, beams, screws, concrete footings, and nails.
For most DIY pros, a basic deck with a rectangular shape and ground-level installation is much easier to build. However, multi-level decks with intricate details and features, such as pergolas, can be complex and may require more advanced skills. The complexity of building a deck heavily depends on the design and your familiarity with construction work. That’s why it’s critical to recognize your limitations and decide when to seek professional help. A deck builder can help ensure that your deck is up to code and has a high level of craft to stand the test of time.
5. Clean Your Gutters
Gutter cleaning is an essential maintenance task that can save you money if you can do it yourself. Gutter experts often recommend gutter cleaning to prevent water damage and keep the home in good condition. This is a straightforward task that you can complete in a few hours, depending on the size of your home. However, the height of the house and the number of debris can make everything complicated. A single-story home might be easier to clean than a three-story home or a home with gutters obstructed by brackets.
After gutter installation, ask your professional how often you need to clean your gutter to prevent debris build-up, which can lead to blockage. You will require a hose with a spray nozzle, a sturdy ladder, gloves, a garden trowel or scoop, and a bucket. Be sure to wear appropriate gear and work on stable ground to avoid accidents. For many homeowners, this is a simple and manageable DIY project that can be completed successfully after several hours. However, there are certain situations where professional help is necessary. If you have a big home with trees surrounding it, it’s better to hire a professional to do the cleaning. They have the right equipment and expertise to clean your gutters.
6. Install New Doors and Windows
Looking to install new doors and windows? Well, you’re not only improving the appearance and safety of your home, but also increasing the energy efficiency of your home. Therefore, you should consider this great DIY project if you have the time and resources. It’s worth mentioning that window and door installation is not an easy task. You need some experience in home improvement and carpentry. That’s why we recommend assessing your skills to determine whether it’s a good idea to do it on your own or call a professional. You need to start by carefully measuring the openings to ensure you get the right size of windows and doors. You also need the appropriate tools, such as a caulking gun, tape measure, screwdriver, and insulation materials.
This project’s complexity heavily depends on your expertise and the type of doors and windows you’re looking to install. The project might be more intricate if you’re doing an all-new exterior door installation. The process may take several hours or even a day or two, depending on the number of windows and the complexity of the project. Replacing a single standard-sized door or window can take a few hours. For a DIY project, it may take longer than you expect. Therefore, consider creating enough time.
7. Perform Pest Control
Dealing with pests can be annoying and frustrating. That’s why you may want to create time for a DIY project that will allow you to control pests in your home and garden. Whether it’s minor infestations or a pest hazard, residential pest control can help deal with any pest. The first thing you need to do is study your pests to know what you’re dealing with. Identify the type of pests, their favorable season, and their multiplication level in favorable conditions. If you’re dealing with pests in your garden, select pesticides that don’t harm your plants.
Dealing with common household pests like ants, fruit flies, and spiders may not be as challenging as termite, bedbug, cockroach, and bug extermination. If you notice you’re having difficulty controlling pests in your home, you need to call pest control services to do the job for you. You can also hire pest control services if you’re dealing with dangerous pests like venomous spiders or stinging insects. They have enough tools, skills, and expertise to handle challenging infestations effectively. They will also provide advice on preventing pests in the future.
8. Build a Fire Pit
Building a fire pit as a DIY project can be an enjoyable and rewarding endeavor that adds a cozy and inviting feature to your outdoor space. If you’re unfamiliar with masonry or construction work, you may want to learn a few things to familiarize yourself with this DIY project. Check local building codes and regulations to ensure you comply with any safety requirements or restrictions on fire pit installations.
The complexity of the task depends on the fire pit you plan to build. For instance, building an above-ground pit made of bricks or stones might be quite easy for anyone with basic DIY skills. An in-ground or gas-powered fire pit, on the other hand, requires advanced knowledge and tools. Plan your layout and design carefully, and keep a safe distance from flammable structures or materials. Since you’re dealing with flammable materials, you must take safety precautions to avoid causing fires. Wear appropriate safety gear and have a fire extinguisher or water source in emergencies. Complex designs and professional installations may require expert installations.
9. Plant Flowers
If you don’t have flowers in your garden or want to add more flowers to your outdoor space, this DIY project can be a great option. However, you won’t start it immediately as you must prepare your soil by removing weeds and loosening the dirt to create an optimal environment for the plants. Additionally, gather your tools such as garden gloves, shovel, watering can or hose, and flower seedlings. This DIY project is quite simple, but you may experience challenges if you don’t have any gardening skills. It’s critical to know the flowers that do well in your area.
If you’re new, check what your neighbors have planted and the kinds of seedlings sold in your local area. Some plants may require more care, while others require low maintenance. Avoid planting anything close to structures or utility lines, as the roots can cause damage. When using fertilizers and pesticides, follow the instructions carefully and avoid excessive use to prevent harming the plants or environment. This DIY project allows you to express your creativity and nurture your garden at your own pace.
10. Change AC Filters
Your air conditioner air filters get dirty and require to be changed from time to time. How regularly you change them depends on the weather conditions in your area. For instance, if you have pets or live in a highly dusty area, you must replace your air filters more regularly than those living in less dusty areas. Some air conditioners use washable filters. That means you can remove the filter, wash it, and put it back. The best thing about this task is that you don’t need any help. The only thing you need to know is to identify the correct filter size and type required for your system.
Most filters can be accessed behind the front grille or in the indoor air handler slot. Just be sure to turn off the AC before removing the old filter to prevent dust and debris from circulating in the air. Be careful when removing and replacing the filter to avoid damaging other AC components. If you own a complex system, you can enquire about changing the filters from the company that installed the system for you. You can also enquire from your HVAC manual.
DIY projects present the perfect opportunity to improve your home. You don’t need an extensive budget to start a DIY project on one of these weekends. Simply gather the materials you need, learn everything you need to know about the project and start! Remember, you can also seek advice from an expert anytime you get stuck.