Many people think spring is the season for home improvement, but we at Decoist are fans of fall updates! After all, cooler temps are refreshing and energizing, creating the buzz of DIY energy. Plus, as the days grow chillier, we are reminded of the upcoming holidays, a busy time that involves entertaining and hosting company. Why not give your home a refresher before the hoopla begins? Your guests will appreciate an inviting space, and you’ll enjoy showing off the fruits of your labor!
Today we make it easy on you by rounding up 10 simple weekend home improvement projects. We’re talking simple, folks. A coat of paint here and there. Some rearranging. A few strategic decorating decisions. Nothing requiring power tools or a manual! And chances are, once you get started, you may not be able to stop at just one DIY project…
1. Repaint your front door.
We start with one of our more involved weekend home improvement projects. Better tackle the bigger ones while you have that beginner’s energy, right? Actually, this project is quite simple, and there are two ways to do it. One requires you to remove the door before painting it, and the other involves painting the door in place. Decide what works best for you and go for it! And since you’re really making the effort, why not choose an eye-catching color, such as the turquoise shade used on this Los Angeles cottage?… [from Stephanie Wiley Photography]
And when you get that new color on your front door, you may find yourself inspired to embellish the area around it! A lovely bench, some durable cushions, and a collection of potted plants may be just what the doctor ordered! Isn’t the combination of yellow, fresh green, and black and white stripes below divine? [from Garden Studio]
2. Embellish your entry.
Let’s talk about your entryway–the space you see first and foremost when you enter your home. Is your entryway compact? You may think that just because the entry is small, it doesn’t need to be special. That couldn’t be further from the truth! Even if your entryway is tiny, try adding a statement piece to the wall, such as vibrant artwork… [from MAK Design + Build Inc.]
…and if you have a bit more room to work with, try introducing a console table. Not only will it double as a place to set items such as keys and mail, it can hold decor that will make a big impact each time you walk through that door! [from David Howell Design]
3. Paint the inside of a shelf.
What a difference some paint makes! But painting the walls can seem scary. What a commitment, right? Good news–painting the inside of a shelf is less time consuming, and in some cases, less permanent. Plus, there’s nothing like a contrasting pop of color, as illustrated by the dining room shelving below… [from Kelly Nelson Designs]
We’re all very familiar with the idea of painting the back interior wall of a shelf. Which is why this next idea seemed so wonderfully unexpected! Try accenting specific parts of the bookshelf, such as everything BUT the back wall! The sides, tops and bottoms of shelves are fair game. The result is a bit less color, which might suit your space. And the unique look that results will start more than a few conversations when guests come to visit! [from Parallel Lines Studio]
4. Refresh a lamp with a new shade.
It’s as easy as giving your lamp a facelift. And there are many reasons why it’s necessary. Perhaps you’ve purchased a lamp at your favorite store, and you love the base, but you’re just not that crazy about the shade! Or maybe you’ve found an amazing vintage lamp at a thrift store, but it’s missing the top. Don’t let that stop you from purchasing a beautiful piece! Use this challenge as an opportunity to find just the right match. We love the glossy shade on the structural lamp below. It really makes the piece pop, don’t you think? [from Marmalade Interiors]
You may need to change the size of the harp on your lamp as you add the new shade, but this is not difficult or expensive. Like your shade but feel like it needs a little something? There are a slew of DIY lamp shade projects online that will guide you through a lamp shade makeover in a few easy steps. Embellishing a shade with ribbon is one of the most popular strategies. We were delighted to find the project below from Jade and Fern. A fabric marker can do wonders, can’t it?!
5. Create a festive centerpiece for your dining or coffee table
This DIY project is so simple yet so effective. Adding a new focal point to your tabletop with the centerpiece of your choice can make a big difference. Some people love arranging flowers, but others like to avoid the hassle of removing fallen petals and refreshing the water. Try displaying a container of fruit instead! The metal tray below is the perfect modern accent… [from Charlie & Co. Design, Ltd.]
Or keep it simple by going the floral route, but focusing on one type of plant rather than a medley for a bold look. Below we see how Bells of Ireland make a sculptural statement on a Mid-Century dining room table… [from TrueXCullins Architecture + Interior Design]
6. Give your medicine cabinet a makeover.
This project works for any bathroom cabinet. We’re all guilty of letting our enclosed spaces get a bit out of hand. Out of sight, out of mind, right?! But there’s something so refreshing about opening that closet or cabinet door and seeing a beautifully organized interior. Medicine cabinet organizational tips and tutorials abound online. Two of our favorite makeovers are pictured below. Lining the back of your cabinet with shelf liner or decorative paper creates such a lovely look… [from Arianna Belle and Useful Beautiful Home]
A beautiful canvas is the perfect backdrop to neatly sorted products. Don’t forget the importance of truly organizing your cabinet. Group like items, and make sure the stuff you use most is easily accessible. If you really want a clean look, remove unsightly labels from containers, or pour products into visually appealing receptacles. It’s about creating a space that welcomes you every time you open that cabinet door! [from Fashionable Hostess]
7. Manicure your yard or balcony.
You don’t have to hire a yard crew to give your outdoor space a little lift! In fact, even if you use a yard service, there are things that can be missed. The grass may be cut and the leaves may be out of sight, but sticks and other dead foliage might be lingering. After a heavy rain, gravel from one area may drift to another. Bushes may need to be trimmed. Take a morning to freshen things up… [from Shades of Green Landscape Architecture]
If your outdoor space is a balcony rather than a yard, make every square inch as hospitable as possible. Create plantscapes in containers, as shown by the beautiful Vancouver balcony garden below. If your home overlooks a balcony or yard, you’ll love the new view created by your home improvement efforts. [from Glenna Partridge via Houzz]
8. Make your fireplace a focal point.
Your fireplace. It’s the hearth of the home. Even if you don’t use it to burn logs, it can still be an amazing focal point. Take some time to assess the area. Would a colorful piece of artwork make a strong statement? If the fireplace isn’t functional, might a large mineral sample be displayed in lieu of firewood? And if the mantel is cluttered, consider swapping out the spread for one large item that steals the show! [from Portal Design Inc.]
Also consider the power of contrast. Some people paint their fireplaces a bright color. Others use vivid accent pieces to set a colorful tone. What can you do to make your fireplace a true standout? [from Alterstudio]
9. Fill that blank wall space with a DIY art project.
If you have a blank space to fill but your budget is limited, there’s nothing like the power of a creative DIY wall art project. Thank goodness people are turning to originality rather than mass-produced artwork with far less personality. The proof can be found online, where a huge range of DIY wall art articles and posts are yours for the reading, including this one of ours! We are huge fans of the project below, which involves constructing fans from magazine pages and hot gluing them to foam discs. Colorful, modern and fabulous! [from Meet Me in Paradise]
Or you can make a grid-like creation from paint chips, as shown by the bird-motif wall art in the next featured image. When it comes to wall art, the possibilities are endless… [from SquarEstate]
We’ve offered some of our favorite weekend home improvement ideas. Now we want to hear from you! Did you engage in an easy DIY project that turned your space around? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below…
