For many people, the words ‘home renovations’ are synonymous with spending a small fortune. And while it’s true that some renovations, like adding an extension, will cost a lot and involve a decent amount of hard work, there are some that don’t cost much at all.
Plus, when you remove labour costs from the equation and do the work yourself, things can become even cheaper.
So, if you’re looking to do up a room or even your whole house, here are 10 home renovation projects that are easier and cheaper to do yourself.
1. Refresh doors
Most interior doors are used multiple times a day, so it’s understandable that with everyday wear and tear they can start to look faded and old. But you don’t need to fork out for brand new doors, as there are plenty of ways you can refresh old doors yourself – and give them lots more character while you’re at it!
There are many easy and inexpensive ways to spruce up old doors, from adding a fresh coat of paint to changing knobs and hinges, using moulding to create a designer look, or even adding accents with stencils. For more ideas on updating your interior doors, have a read of this article from Do It Best.
And while you’re at it, don’t forget your front door! Your front door is one of the first things visitors to your home see, and a fresh coat of paint can work wonders for giving a drab front door an instant revival.
Adding a smart new door handle or shiny knocker can also have a big impact, so if you’d like to learn how to fit one yourself, have a read of this article from Ideal Home.
2. Restore old floor tiles
If your home has original floor tiles, there’s a good chance they might be from either the Victorian or Edwardian eras.
Of course, more than one hundred years of wear and tear leaves its mark, and it’s normal for these patterned, unglazed ceramic floor tiles to look drab and dirty.
You can pay for professional tile cleaning, but this can be pretty expensive. Luckily you don’t need any special skills to restore your floor to its former glory – just some cleaning products like a mild acid wash, a floor cleaning tool, and a bit of elbow grease!
To find out more, have a read of this article from Simply Floor Cleaning.
3. Hang some wallpaper
The days when wallpaper was associated with dated patterns are long gone.
There are countless stylish wallpapers to choose from, whether you’re into bold floral patterns or simple neutral backdrops. The right wallpaper can totally transform a room, adding colour, texture, and depth to an otherwise plain space.
More good news is that you don’t need to hire a decorator to hang your wallpaper for you. While the process might sound tricky, hanging wallpaper is actually a pretty simple DIY job as long as you have the right tools and method in place.
If you’re not confident enough to try hanging your own wallpaper, you can even buy some peel-and-stick wallpaper to make the process easier. You could also lower costs further by going for a feature wall, and only hanging paper on one single wall. This is an easy and simple, yet effective way to add colour and interest to a room.
To find out more about hanging wallpaper, check out this guide from Real Homes.
4. Install a stair runner
Stairs are often one of the first things people see when they come into your home, and if you have worn carpeted stairs or shabby wooden steps, it can easily make your home look tired. So why not add a stylish stair runner? Not only do they look smart, but they also improve your grip if your wooden steps have become slippery!
You can make a big impression by choosing a striped or bold-coloured stair runner, or keep things classy with a neutral weave or pale colour. Painting your stairs white before adding the stair runner can help it stand out, and also make the stairs look fresher, lighter, and smarter.
You really don’t need much DIY experience to install a stair running yourself – you just need a length of material and a staple gun!
To find out more about installing a stair runner, have a read of this guide from Architectural Digest.
5. Build bespoke shelves
Unless you’re lucky enough to have a large house, chances are you could probably do with some extra storage space. So why not make the most of every inch of your house and build some bespoke shelving?
Building bespoke shelves means you can create storage for those tricky spaces – alcoves or awkward corners – and utilise every nook and cranny. And even if you don’t need the extra storage, you can still create bespoke shelves to use for display and decoration.
Shelving can be as basic or ornate as you like, so you can choose a project that’s suitable for your skill level. Simply choose your shelving board and your shelf support or bracket, and get drilling!
For more on learning how to build different types of shelves, have a read of this guide from WikiHow. You might also find our article, 20 clever storage solutions to maximise space in your home, useful.
6. Install dimmer switches
The importance of having the right lighting can’t be overstated. You can have a beautiful, stylish living room, but if the lighting is too dark it can look oppressive and if it’s too bright and glaring, it can appear harsh.
However, getting the right balance can be tricky, so installing a dimmer switch means you can adjust the lighting as needed, and make sure you have soft, ambient lighting for cosy evenings in.
Getting an electrician to install dimmer switches can be expensive, and while it involves more than connecting a few wires, installing a dimmer switch is something most of us can do. You just need to make sure you’re installing it safely and have some tools like a 4-in-1 screwdriver, needle-nose pliers, and a wire cutter to hand. Though, of course, if you’re uncomfortable with the process, it’s best to hire a licensed electrician.
To find out more about installing dimmer switches, have a read of this guide, or watch the video below.
7. Upgrade your kitchen cabinets
Doing up your kitchen can be expensive and time-consuming – and, for most of us, it’s usually not something we can do without professional help. However, one way to give your kitchen a new lease of life is to upgrade the cabinets. This doesn’t have to mean buying and installing new cabinets, it can be as simple as giving them a refresh.
If your current cabinets are dark wood and make your kitchen look gloomy, why not buy a light paint and give them a good paint job?
Just make sure you clean and sand them down beforehand. Alternatively, if you have plain plastic cabinets you want to transform, you can buy peel-and-stick wood products that’ll make your kitchen look rustic and cosy.
Smaller transformations, like buying new handles for your cabinets, can also make a big difference and are easy to install yourself. You could even think about removing the doors on your upper cabinets, so you have easy-to-access open storage.
For more on refreshing your kitchen cabinets, check out this article from Homes & Gardens.
8. Introduce wall panelling
While wall panelling was once reserved for historic homes, it’s recently become really popular as a way to transform modern homes.
Wall panelling can give bland, featureless rooms huge amounts of character, and added texture and colour. If you choose the right dimensions, it can also be used to rebalance the proportions of an odd space.
Getting a wall panelling company to construct a feature wall usually costs around £1,000 – and while this job may seem like something only a professional can tackle, it’s also something that you can have a go at doing yourself.
If you’re interested in adding wall panelling to your home, have a read of this article by a homeowner who made a DIY wood panel feature wall for less than £50!
9. Switch up your splashback
If you’d like to transform your kitchen but don’t have the money for a full-on redesign, one way you can make a big difference is by adding a new splashback. Splashbacks are a key part of the look and feel of the kitchen, but they rarely get the attention they deserve.
There are all kinds of splashback designs, from bright-coloured tiles that can add a vibrant touch to a drab kitchen, to mirrored tiles that add light and space to the room. To save on costs, you can learn how to grout tiles yourself – it really isn’t that difficult! Just have a read of this article from Ideal Home to find out more.
Or, for something even cheaper and easier, why not pick up some adhesive splashback panels? They’re far easier to install than traditional tiles, which require time and tools; all you have to do is measure the space, peel off the protective backing, and stick the tile to the wall. And if you like the result, you can do the same for your bathroom tiles too!
10. Revive wooden decking
If you have decking in your garden, you probably already know how quickly it can look weathered. Being exposed to the elements, and being walked over by muddy shoes (and paws!) can make decking look shabby, and even if you seal or stain it, the boards can still crack and splinter. But if your decking is looking worse for wear, you don’t need to rip the whole thing up and start again.
It’s recommended that every deck should have an annual cleaning, so you may be able to revive it with some simple deck cleaner. However, if your boards are looking too old and worn, you can use a deck restoration coating. This special paint is thick enough to fill cracks, splinters, and knotholes, and can leave your decking with a smooth, sleek texture.
To find out more about reviving wooden decking, have a read of this article from Family Handyman.
Final thoughts…
While many of us assume that doing home renovations means getting professional help, as this article shows, that doesn’t have to be the case.
While some home improvements are more complex and technical and require an expert, other renovation projects are easier than you may think. Even if you don’t have the greatest DIY skills, many are entirely doable with a bit of research.
Whether it’s revamping your splashback with stick-on tiles, giving your front door a new lease of life, or refreshing your kitchen cabinets, you can save a fortune by having a go yourself. Plus, the sense of satisfaction you’ll feel when you’ve completed the job is an added bonus!
For more ideas for ways to spruce up your living space, check out our article; 18 home decorating ideas.
Do you have any ideas for home renovations that you can do yourself? We’d love to hear about your DIY experiences in the comments below.