Easy Home Upgrades You Can Do Yourself

Do you feel like you need a change?

With some creativity, you can make changes that will help you feel like you’re in a new home. And the bonus? They are projects you can tackle yourself — no waiting for a contractor or other professional to slot you into their packed schedule. Nonetheless, if you are renting, you may need to get permission from your property manager or landlord before undertaking some of these projects. Here are a few ideas on how to make easy home upgrades to freshen up your space.

Give Your Kitchen a Facelift
Your kitchen is the lifeblood of your home. But if faced with dated cupboards, fixtures, and countertops, you might find that you don’t enjoy the time you spend there. You can spend a weekend replacing cabinet doors, or just the drawer pulls and door handles to get a new look. If you want to get a new look without replacing them, however, consider painting the doors a new color. Adding this splash of color will be an easier task if you’re working with painted cupboards.

You might find some spots that need a good deep cleaning, such as the tile and grout in your backsplashes or the area behind the rice cooker. Even though this isn’t a fun job, getting it done can give you a feeling of accomplishment that rekindles your joy in the kitchen.

Freshen up the Bathroom
Another essential room that often gets overlooked is the bathroom. New faucets here can make a big difference, as can an upgraded shower head — handheld plus rain shower, anyone? While you’re focused on the shower, consider getting a new caddy or shelf system to keep the hair and body products tidy. Outside the shower, a medicine cabinet can help everyone keep their stuff off the counter, so the bathroom looks tidier all the time.

The flooring can also be an easy home upgrade. If you’ve got old linoleum, consider installing new vinyl tile. It’s low-cost, easy to cut to fit around corners and fixtures, and available in various styles, from a slate look to wood grain.

If you’re not looking to change the look, giving the bathroom a good cleaning and replacing dingy old grout can help the space feel more inviting.

Add Furniture with More Storage
Clutter can get the best of all of us. Whether it’s the grown-ups’ books and knickknacks, the kids’ toys, or all of the above, finding the right place to store these items can make a huge difference in how you feel in your living space. A smart option is to invest in furniture that does double duty, such as a coffee table with storage space underneath for sorting baskets or an ottoman that holds toys.

Looking for a way to help finance those DIY home upgrades?

A Home Equity Line of Credit from HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union might be the answer. Click here to find out how a HELOC can help fund your plans. For additional home guidance and thoughts on downsizing, check out this recent article from HawaiiUSA Federal Credit Union: Is It Time to Downsize?