Quick DIY Updates That Will Make a Big Impression

When we think about home improvement projects, it's easy to get overwhelmed. The average person doesn’t have the know-how, tools, and supplies on-hand that it takes to complete a full-scale project. However, when it comes to quick DIY updates, most of us possess the skills, can handle the basic tools, and can easily obtain the products we need to get the job done.

If you look around your home, you can find a plethora of easy fixes you’ve probably been itching to get to for a while now. But just in case you need some ideas, we’ve got plenty!

Where to Start

When you want to do a quick home refresh, it can get overwhelming to make a list of everything you need or want to update. Take it one room at a time, looking at small spaces that catch the eye first. Tidying up the clutter-catchers and folding the throw blankets on the couch, or just making the bed is a quick fix to most rooms.

Then, for a fresh look on your home’s interior style, start at the front door and look for the update opportunities that stand out as you walk through.

Entry Hardware

Whether you tackle the daily commute or work from your home office, changing up the entry hardware is a quick way to come home to a whole new front door. A fresh coat of paint and a new entry set can be a good weekend project that breaks up the routine. 

Upgrade your home security system with today’s smart technology integrated into the front door’s deadbolt to add the convenience of keyless entry for every member of your family. If you want a new look without the hassle of new keys, the locks can be keyed when you order them.

For more ideas and information on how to find the right entry locks, handles, or knobs to clean up the look of your porch, check out our article on choosing the best door entry sets for your home.

Interior Door Levers and Knobs

Perhaps you prefer the classic look of knobs over levers. Or maybe you or a family member are getting to the stage of life when levers are easier to grip than knobs. Either way, swapping out the door hardware is a very easy way to update the look of your interior doors. 

Often when people move into a home which has been occupied before, they find that they are left with mismatched knobs or damaged, worn, or pitted hardware. This is why replacing interior door hardware is a perfect quick update that makes a big difference and makes a house feel more like your own.

Rugs

Need a way to pull a room together, add color and flair, and provide some comfort for your toes? Look no further than an area rug. Perhaps the easiest way to quickly update your space (with very little effort) is to express your personal style with a rug in almost any living space. 

Create a path with a runner rug in a hallway or in between a kitchen island and sink area. Warm up a bathroom or entryway with a small area rug. Add a designer touch with a living room or bedroom area rug. Pull together a backyard living space with an outdoor area rug. Check out our area rug buying guide for more ideas.

Tackle the Kitchen 

You spend hours every week in the kitchen. It should be a welcoming and comfortable space, so pay attention to what’s in it. If things are looking a bit out of date, and cleaning and scrubbing just doesn’t do the trick anymore, maybe it’s time for an update.

Your kitchen faucet can be a gorgeous focal point of your kitchen...or a terrible eyesore. But it shouldn’t be something you live with because you think you have to. A kitchen faucet swap can be a simple DIY update...as long as you’ve done your homework. This article on how to choose a kitchen faucet will help. Then comes the fun part...choosing your new faucet! 

When it comes to kitchen faucets, there are so many more options than ever before. Pull-down faucets have come a long way since their early editions. Consider touch and touchless faucets for convenience and hygiene. Check out pre-rinse versions for the luxury look. All of these faucets are available in styles from traditional to modern and finishes to suit every kitchen decor.

Cabinet Hardware

Want an instant kitchen refresh without spending a ton of time and energy? Swap out your cabinet hardware! Outdated hardware can drag your kitchen down, while updating cabinet hardware can give your space a fresh new look. 

Choose a modern pull in a matte black finish, or a silver knob for a classic look; mix and match for an eclectic vibe. Consider pulls for drawers and knobs for doors or even one type for lower cabinets and another for uppers. The possibilities are endless. 

If you’re feeling really motivated, consider adding a fresh coat of paint or stain to your cabinets. Although this gets into a considerably harder level of project, you’ll love the results.

Tidy The Bathroom

When you’re tired of the look of the bathroom, it can feel cluttered and messy even when it’s kept clean as a whistle. Instead of getting bored in the same old space everyday, there are a few quick swaps to try that can spruce up the entire room with only one or two changes.

Start with the condition of the bathroom faucet. As one of the first surfaces family and guests touch in a bathroom, the faucet can get faded, tarnished, and pitted over time with regular use, making it harder to keep clean. A worn finish won’t buff out and should be replaced. 

Another common eyesore is that many homes have standard “builder grade” fixtures, which are often bought in bulk, with fewer features, and may be constructed of lower quality materials that offer a shorter product lifespan. They offer no custom, personalized style and can wear down quickly.

Upgrading to a new style of bathroom faucet allows you to customize the look of your space, and ensure the best quality fixtures that provide easier upkeep. New technologies bring in easier-to-clean finishes and even touchless operation, so find the features that make the best faucet for your household. To make it a little easier to narrow down the options, here’s an article on how to choose a bathroom faucet to make sure you find the best match.​

Because there are multiple fixtures in a single bathroom, making sure the different faucets and handles match makes the entire room look more orderly and cohesive. A good rule of thumb is to update all fixtures at the same time to provide consistency in style and finish across the faucets, shower system, and bath fixtures. 

When water stains and old brass make the shower impossible to keep shined and clean, it’s time to replace the outdated style with a new shower sprayer or handle. A new showerhead or hand shower can easily improve the entire shower experience like stepping into a whole new bathroom. 

When you're ready to plan a bigger shower update, consider a complete shower system. With new features like built in Bluetooth speakers, or a spray head with multiple pressure settings, there are many kinds of shower fixtures to choose from. Start with this shower system buying guide to know what features to look for before you buy.

Update the Lighting

Refreshing the lighting at home can offer a new view on the familiar spaces, and even save money with EnergyStar approved light fixtures that use a fraction of the electricity as older lamps. Most new lighting fixtures can be installed in a few hours without a lot of effort, it’s just a matter of finding the look you like with the best fit for how the space is used.

Ceiling Fans

Whether indoors or outdoors, the breeze from a ceiling fan keeps any area comfortable. A ceiling fan circulates the air around the room, pushing warmer air down or pulling it up depending on the rotation of the fan blades. When the fan starts to grind or make noise, or the blades wobble, it’s time to replace the fan. 

The ceiling fan should be quiet and easy to use; if not, updating to a new fan allows you to enjoy newer features, such as choosing a fan with dimming lights, and a range of rotation speeds. Installing a new fan is a relatively easy project that takes little more than a ladder and a few hours time. For a breakdown on what you need to know before you replace an old fan, read our guide on how to choose a ceiling fan.

Pendants

Pendant lighting is a great way to add instant color and new style to the kitchen, stairwell, game room, or home bar. Used in a set, or with just a single pendant, these hanging lamps make a statement in any room while adding comfortable, functional lighting. Pendant lighting easily draws attention and can set the theme or feel of a room, so it’s important to choose the right pendant.

If the home is older, or you’ve recently redecorated, the pendant lights may have fallen out of style with the rest of the room. When the wiring is already in place, it’s easy to swap out pendants for an updated look. There are a few important considerations to this DIY lighting piece, so check out our tips on how to choose a pendant light to find the best match for your home decor.

Chandeliers

Chandeliers were once the standard in every dining area. A brassy candelabra or sparkling crystal fixture with glowing yellow bulbs seemed to be in every home. Chandeliers have come a long way since then, not to discount the classics, which are lovely. Chandeliers are now appearing everywhere from kitchen islands to bedrooms to entryways to bathrooms...and even outdoors! 

If you’re feeling fanciful, consider hanging a chandelier in a place where there is already an existing light fixture and you’ve got yourself an easy DIY update. Or simply replace your outdated dining room chandelier with a newer version that is more your style and more environmentally friendly. For more ideas on how to include the lux statement of a chandelier, check out the chandelier buying guide, with everything you need to know before you bring home the look.

Little Effort, Big Difference

We get it. Life gets busy. You’ve got a million projects staring you in the face. They needn’t feel insurmountable. Many projects can be done in a day, or even an hour. So grab whatever you need to get one of these quick updates done. The sense of accomplishment you feel will be well worth it.