To Do: Choose Your Weekend Project
You know the one — it's been hanging over your head for months. Just pick one from your list to do now, and enjoy the change
Do you have a running list of improvements you plan to do around your house but keep putting off? Wouldn't it feel so good to tackle one of these projects , take a step back, and witness how it made life easier? Knowing that each one of these projects is attainable in a weekend or two, let's get motivated to cross one off the list. Here is my list. What project has been hanging over your head?
Create an Ideabook To-Do List
Create an Ideabook To-Do List
I'll start with an easy one: Frame your prints and hang them in a nice gallery wall like arrangement. Buy frames in one color and size at one source and framing everything at once will dress up that blank wall and give you a sense of accomplishment.
You do need the funds before you can even think of upgrading your appliances, but you just know that the latest models of dishwashers, washing machines and dryers are much more efficient than your current model. In the long run, it's good for the environment and good for your wallet, so find a good price and go for it.
How to Care for Your Washing Machine
How to Care for Your Washing Machine
Hanging shelves is another easy project you keep putting off. A shelf can sit in its package, and the books sit on the floor. All you need is stud finder, level, and a drill and it's done. Then you have the reward of styling the shelves to your heart's content, and the entire room looks neater.
Switching out cabinet hardware from the factory standards to something that reflects your own style is a mini project that can economically update a kitchen or bathroom without changing the cabinetry.
Get an exact count of knobs and pulls before you go to the store. And know the center-to-center distance between each hole for drawer pulls.
Get an exact count of knobs and pulls before you go to the store. And know the center-to-center distance between each hole for drawer pulls.
Raise your hand if you are embarrassed to admit you still have the builder default "boob light" hanging from your ceiling. It's okay — swapping out lighting fixtures is easier than you think. Just know where the circuit breaker is located in your home before you touch anything and make sure the electricity is off. You will be so happy to gaze upon your new contemporary light fixture that you installed yourself.
We all know how to paint, we just don't want to deal with the hassle of prep and clean up. But do you really want to pay someone to do it? Instead of taking on a whole room, start with one accent wall. It will take no time at all. I prefer not use the blue painters tape because it take so long to trim out the ceiling and base boards, and paint seems to invariably bleed through anyway. A steady hand will go a long way for trimming.
Note: in this paint job the door frame and base board were painted the same color as the wall for an easier paint job and a modern, uniform look.
Note: in this paint job the door frame and base board were painted the same color as the wall for an easier paint job and a modern, uniform look.
Paint the trim around your house. I won't lie to you, painting trim throughout your house is labor intensive, but the difference it makes is remarkable.
On my own list: painting doors (black). I am obsessed with the look of glossy black doors with matte white walls. I really want to paint my interior doors all black. And I will. But there are 10 of them, and it means taking the door off the hinges and removing the hardware first. Most doors would need to be primed before the new paint is applied. This is a bigger project, but it's not hard. One day I will motivate to just get it done. Your comments might help in that department.
Updating a sink faucet because it leaks or just because you want your own choice is multi-stepped, but it can be done as long as you follow the manufacturer's instructions. Know ahead of time whether you need a 4" or 8" faucet. Consider replace your drain to match.
You probably just assume you can't tile your own backsplash, so you live with the painted wall or ugly laminate that's there now. Having a tile cutter makes the job easier and you can rent one for the weekend. Many tile stores will pre-cut your tile for a small fee.
Knowing your measurements and placement of cuts takes a whole lot of work, mess, and noise out of the equation.
Prep the wall by lightly sanding it and removing switch plates, apply thin-set with a trowel, press the tile firmly into the thin-set, let it set overnight, and grout the next day.
Knowing your measurements and placement of cuts takes a whole lot of work, mess, and noise out of the equation.
Prep the wall by lightly sanding it and removing switch plates, apply thin-set with a trowel, press the tile firmly into the thin-set, let it set overnight, and grout the next day.
Another project on my mind is swapping out — or at least dressing up — closet doors. We have giant mirrored sliding doors that I would like to replace with contemporary frosted plexiglass versions. Even applying vinyl decals or wall paper to basic white closet doors is enough of a change to spruce up a bedroom.
My husband has been talking about sealing and painting our garage floor since we bought our house. It hasn't happened yet and I am not invested enough in the garage floor to nag him about it. But wouldn't it be so cool to pull into a garage with a floor you could almost eat off of?
Even in the dead of winter, planning for spring never hurt. After you have crossed off your top interior project, the great outdoors beckons. Add potting some lovely plants for your front stoop as a to-do in early spring for instant curb appeal and lively color.
Tell us: What's on your list?
More: Create an Online To-Do List
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Tell us: What's on your list?
More: Create an Online To-Do List
Browse DIY Home Projects