DIY can be such a rewarding activity. It is a chance to make your mark on the family home and create a place you can be proud of.
Sometimes, though, you can get stuck in a rut and feel like you do not know where to start with home enhancements. If you are looking to make some changes at home to tidy it up and make your family happy, here are some small ways you can upgrade your home and make it a place that everyone wants to spend time.
Give It a Paint Job
Take a look at your home—really look closely. For many people, it is easy to get accustomed to the way a house looks, and it can be hard to notice when things need a little touch up. Paint is a classic example. When you look closely at the walls and ceilings, you will probably see that there are many areas of the house that could do with a lick of paint. Make the effort to give each room a fresh coat.
You can take this opportunity to change up the style of some rooms, too. For example, why not let your kids choose their favorite color for their bedrooms? It is such an easy way to make their rooms their own space, and they will love you for it.
If you are painting something a new color, make sure you give everything two coats so it does not look like a rush job—remember, you are meant to be making improvements, so you do not want it to look half finished.
Change the Lighting
Lighting makes a huge difference to how people feel. Harsh overhead lighting can increase stress and even cause headaches. So, to give your family home a more calming atmosphere, buy some lamps to reduce the bright glare.
This is also a chance to swap out any old lightbulbs for energy-efficient bulbs. Your eco-conscious kids will be glad you have made the change and so will your wallet. There are numerous benefits to energy-saving lightbulbs, and saving up to $75 a year is certainly one of them.
Install New Radiators
Do your kids like living in a cold house? No, so it is high time you replaced any old radiators. Ugly, dated radiators can be inefficient at heating a home (as well as being pretty unattractive). If you want warm rooms in the house, invest in new radiators. Not only will this improve the heating system in your home and potentially save you money in the long term, it will also give your house a more modern and stylish look. There is no downside here.
Bring the Outside In
Creating a great backyard is an amazing thing to do for your family, but another easy way to make your home that little bit better is to bring some beautiful plants indoors. Beyond just a beautiful appearance, there are many benefits associated with houseplants, including better air quality and reduced stress levels.
Why not get your children involved in growing houseplants? It is a good thing for children to do, no matter their age. Younger kids will love watering them and watching them grow, but it is also a fantastic way to teach older children and teens some responsibility. Start a new hobby together and bond over your plants.
Replace Handles on Cupboards
For most people, installing a whole new kitchen is way too expensive and inconvenient—how are you supposed to eat dinner if you cannot get into the kitchen? However, if you are feeling like a change to the kitchen would be an improvement, there are smaller upgrades you can make.
Head to the hardware store and pick up some new handles and knobs. Changing just these on your kitchen cupboards can make a big difference. If you like this change, you could do the same to cabinets, closets, and drawers throughout the house. It is an easy and affordable way to enhance your home, and you can get your children involved with the process. Let them help by unscrewing the existing handles while you supervise. They will enjoy helping as much as you enjoy the finished look
Hang Family Photos
This is another easy improvement that will definitely bring smiles to your family’s faces. Putting out family photos adds character and charm to your house, yes, but it is also a wonderful way to remind your family of happy times spent together.
You can have them scattered around the house in various rooms, or you could create a collage effect and hang them in a geometric pattern going up the stairs.
Hanging photos requires only minor DIY, but if you run out of nails or want to get your children to help you without the risk of using a hammer, you can use picture-hanging strips that stick directly onto the wall. These are easy to remove and will not damage your wall, so you will not have to do any replastering later down the line.
Upgrade the Bathroom
There are some simple steps you could take to give your bathroom a new look and make it nicer for your family to use. Replace the caulk if it has mold growing on it—this will prevent any breathing difficulties like asthma from getting worse. Make sure the grout is clean, too, as dirty grout will affect the look of the whole room.
You could also replace the faucets and showerhead to give the bathroom a touch of luxury. If you live in an area with hard water, try a showerhead with an inbuilt water-softening filter – this will prevent the buildup of limescale, and your teenage daughters will thank you for how soft it makes their hair.
There are so many enhancements and upgrades you could make to your home that will not cost the earth. Use them to bond with your children and get them interested in what you are doing. It is never too early or too late to teach important life skills like DIY! The main benefit of these home improvements, though, will be that your family enjoys spending time at home with you—and after all, that is what life is all about.
