3 DIY Ways To Upgrade Your Home

Spring cleaning never seems to end with spring, am I right? Maybe the reason is that really, home upgrades are at the heart of spring cleaning, and there never seems to be an end when it comes to home DIY projects. It can be tricky to know how to prioritize projects. I know – I too get caught up in the “remodel – next project – remodel – next project” merry-go-round. There’s got to be a better way!

I’ve been learning that home upgrades and improvements don’t have to be time consuming. Complete room remodels aren’t the only ways to add value to your property. Kitchen and bathroom redo’s top the list for homeowners and, let’s be honest, those are pricey undertakings!

So lately, I’ve been doing some research about easy, fast ways to add value and add a bit of an upgrade to your home. Can I just point out how much I love Pinterest? I found a ton of different DIY quickies and have narrowed them down to my favorites from that list.

Take a look at these three DIY home improvements that won’t break the bank:

Light Switches
If your home is like many, it probably has basic plastic light switches and plugs. The easiest improvement anyone can do is to upgrade the light switch covers. The best places to do this are in the bathrooms, kitchen, master bedroom, and at the front entrance. It adds a little extra touch that can make a great first impression. Steer clear of covers that are too over the top, floral print, etc. if you’re looking to market your home any time soon. Check out this blog for a look at a classy light switch redo. 

Outlets
If yours is also an older home, it probably does not have GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) outlets. These outlets (identified by the red reset button) are used wherever water increases the risk of shock. To improve safety and add value to your home, replace regular outlets with GFCIs in the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry room, and anywhere that water is present. Here’s a great how-to (but please be careful and call a pro if you’re not feeling confident about doing this along). 

Dimmers
I love lights that can be dimmed depending on the mood and ambiance. Dimmer switches are a nice touch to add in areas like the bedrooms, hallways and living rooms. They’re fairly simple to change out – take a look at this blog for tips!

These are fast, do-it-yourself jobs, but remember to always cut the power at the main panel before attempting these upgrades. If you are not familiar with how to safely replace an electrical outlet, hire a qualified electrician. This will be a little more expensive, but it will be worthwhile.

Of course, if you’re looking for the ultimate home upgrade and are ready to explore your options, call me!