When it comes to selling your home, you want potential buyers to walk through the door and feel like they can envision themselves living happily in that space. By taking small steps such as adding colour with a fresh coat of paint or updating furniture pieces and light fixtures, you can make your house stand out from the competition. But why stop there? Whether you're an experienced DIY-er looking for something new to tackle or just getting started in home improvement projects, I'm here with some creative ideas to give your property an affordable boost without compromising on quality. Adding those personalized touches will make for a memorable impression and could increase the perceived value of your home; luckily this does not have to involve spending too much money or having complex design knowledge. In this article, I am excited to share some simple DIY projects ranging from sprucing up outdoor areas to giving the inside of your house a fresh vibe – all at affordable costs!
Add Some Character And Charm To Your Home's Exterior With A DIY Address Sign
This project is simple, affordable, and can help make your home stand out on your street. To get started, you'll need a wooden plank in the size of your choice, stencils or vinyl letters for your house number, paint or stain, a paintbrush, and a drill. Sand the wooden plank to create a smooth, even surface. Then, paint or stain the plank in the color of your choice and use stencils or vinyl letters to add your house number. Finally, make holes in the wooden plank at the top and bottom to allow for hanging. Try it for yourself with these step by step instructions from The Walnut Grove: https://thewalnutgrove.ca/2021/03/21/make-your-own-wooden-address-plaque/
Ditch the Traditional Flower Bed
Curb appeal is important when it comes to selling your home, but it can also make a big difference in your everyday life. Creating a planter box is a simple and affordable way to add colour and charm to your front yard. To begin, you'll need a wooden planter box, potting soil, plants or flowers of your choice, and a drill. First, drill several drainage holes in the bottom of the planter box to ensure proper drainage. Then, fill the planter box with potting soil, leaving about an inch of space at the top. Next, choose plants or flowers that will thrive in your climate and suit your style preferences. Arrange the plants in the planter box, making sure to leave enough space for them to grow. Water the plants thoroughly and place the planter box in a sunny location where the plants will receive adequate light. You can add decorative elements such as stones or mulch around the planter box to further enhance the curb appeal. If you're feeling extra handy, consider following along with this video from Crafted Workshop to build your own planter box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuEusb_Ehks
Tidy up your entryway by Crafting Your Own Coat Rack
One easy and functional DIY project you can tackle is creating a coat rack. To begin, you'll need a piece of wood, hooks or knobs for hanging, sandpaper, and a drill. First, sand the wood to create a smooth surface, then mark where you want to place your hooks or knobs on the wood, ensuring they are evenly spaced and centered. Using a drill, make holes in the wood where you've marked for the hooks or knobs. Screw the hooks or knobs into place, making sure they are tight and secure. You can then customize the coat rack with paint, stain, or decorative elements such as stenciling or decoupage. To hang the coat rack, use screws or picture hangers to attach it to the wall in your entryway. This simple project can add style and function to your space while keeping it organized. Try it for yourself with these instructions from Woodshop Diaries: https://www.woodshopdiaries.com/diy-coat-rack-with-shelf/
Accent with Wallpaper
Adding an accent wall can instantly transform the look and feel of your entryway. For this project, you'll need wallpaper in the design and color of your choice, wallpaper paste, a wallpaper brush or roller, a wallpaper smoothing tool, and a utility knife. Begin by measuring the area of your entryway wall that you want to cover with wallpaper. Purchase enough wallpaper to cover the space, making sure to add a few extra inches to the top and bottom to account for trimming. Next, prepare the wallpaper paste according to the manufacturer's instructions. Apply the paste to the back of the wallpaper, making sure to cover it evenly. Carefully position the wallpaper on the entryway wall, using a smoothing tool to ensure there are no air bubbles or wrinkles. Use a utility knife to trim any excess wallpaper from the edges of the wall. Once the wallpaper is in place, allow it to dry completely according to the manufacturer's instructions. The result is a unique and eye-catching DIY accent wall that can add character and charm to your entryway. Prior to choosing wallpaper, I suggest posting an anonymous post with a photo of your space and the wallpaper samples you are considering, on Niagara’s Best Kept Secret – Advice Page (Facebook group) to determine overall preferences and what will appeal to a wider range of buyers. The wallpaper in the image above, as well as many other beautiful options can be purchased here: https://wallblush.com/en-ca/products/blank-duplicate-1?variant=39652649533503
Refresh Your Kitchen Cabinets
The kitchen is often the heart of the home, and cabinets are a prominent feature. Painting kitchen cabinets is an easy and affordable way to transform the look and feel of your kitchen. Choose a neutral colour that appeals to a wide range of buyers and gives your kitchen a fresh and modern look. Start by removing all the cabinet doors and hardware and cleaning them thoroughly with soap and water. Sand the surfaces lightly to create a smooth base for painting. Apply a coat of primer to help the paint adhere, and then paint with a high-quality paint designed for cabinets. Allow each coat to dry completely before adding another layer. Once the cabinets are painted, consider adding new hardware to give them a finished look.
Brighten Up Your Kitchen With a Tile Backsplash
A tile backsplash can add personality and style to your kitchen while also providing a durable and easy-to-clean surface for cooking and meal prep. You'll need adhesive tile mat, tiles in the colour and style of your choice, tile spacers, a tile cutter or tile saw, and grout. Begin by measuring the area of your backsplash and purchasing enough tiles to cover the space. Clean the wall thoroughly to ensure that the adhesive will bond properly. Next, apply the adhesive tile mat to the wall. This will provide a strong, even surface for the tiles to adhere to. Use a tile cutter or saw to cut tiles to fit the space, leaving room for spacers between each tile. Apply the tiles to the adhesive mat, using the spacers to ensure even spacing. Continue laying tiles until the entire backsplash is covered. Be sure to periodically check that the tiles are level and straight as you go. Once all the tiles are in place, allow them to set and dry for the recommended amount of time, typically 24-48 hours. Next, it's time to add the grout. Mix the grout according to the manufacturer's instructions and use a rubber float to spread it evenly over the tiles, making sure to fill in all the spaces between them. Wipe away any excess grout with a damp sponge before it dries. Allow the grout to dry completely, then use a dry cloth to buff away any haze that may remain on the tiles.
Create a Spa-Like Bathroom With a Pebble Bathmat
A simple DIY pebble bathmat can add a touch of luxury and spa-like feel to your bathroom. You'll need a plain bathmat in a size of your choice, river stones or pebbles, and a strong adhesive such as E6000. Clean your bathmat thoroughly to remove any dirt or debris. Then, arrange your pebbles or stones on the mat in a pattern of your choosing. Be sure to leave enough space between each stone for the adhesive to bond. Once you've arranged the stones, carefully lift them off the mat and apply a small amount of adhesive to the back of each stone. Place each stone back onto the mat in its designated spot and press down firmly to ensure a strong bond. Allow the adhesive to dry completely according to the manufacturer's instructions. Once the mat is dry, it's ready to use! Follow Curbly's simple instructions to create the bathmat in the photo: https://www.curbly.com/diy-pebble-bath-mat
Add Style and Function to Your Bathroom with a Wooden Crate Shelf
A wooden crate shelf is a creative and affordable way to add both storage and style to your bathroom. You'll need a wooden crate, a drill, screws, wood stain or paint, a paintbrush or roller, and some decorative items to display on the shelf. Begin by sanding the crate down to smooth out any rough edges or splinters. Next, apply wood stain or paint to the crate, using a paintbrush or roller. Choose a colour that complements your bathroom decor and gives the crate a finished look. Once the stain or paint has dried, decide where you want to hang the crate and mark the location with a pencil. Use a drill and screws to attach the crate to the wall securely. Make sure the crate is level and properly anchored. Finally, add some decorative items to your new bathroom shelf, such as towels, candles, plants, or decorative jars.
Design A Unique And Stylish Headboard For Your Bedroom
A headboard can add a touch of luxury to your bedroom without breaking the bank. To get started, you'll need a large piece of plywood or MDF board, batting, fabric of your choice, a staple gun, and a saw. Measure the width of your bed, decide how tall you want your headboard to be, and use a saw to cut the plywood or MDF board to your desired dimensions. Then, lay the batting over the board, pull it taut, and staple it to the back. Next, lay your fabric over the batting, pull it taut, and staple it to the back. Finally, add some decorative elements if desired and attach your new headboard to the wall. Follow along as Anika creates the headboard in the image above: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_ANgoTzEzk
Create A Cozy And Inviting Reading Nook
Give your space a style and comfort upgrade with this easy project. To get started, rustle together the key pieces: a comfortable chair, some throw pillows, a small sidetable, a lamp, and choose some reading to fill the void. Pick an area of your room that catches some natural light where distractions are minimal. Last but not least, add some personalized touch such as artwork or rugs to finish off the nook giving it that ‘private oasis’ feel. So pick up all these pieces and before you know it your cozy cocoon will be good to go!
Refurbish a Wooden Pallet Into A Coffee Table
Lastly, let's talk about the living room. Creating a unique and personalized coffee table using a simple wooden pallet is an eco-friendly and affordable project that can add a rustic touch to your space. To begin, you'll need a wooden pallet, a saw, sandpaper, wood stain or paint, and four furniture legs. First, cut the pallet down to the size you want for your coffee table using a saw. Sand the pallet down. Next, attach the furniture legs to the bottom of the pallet using screws or brackets, making sure they are evenly spaced and secure. To further personalize your coffee table, you can add additional decorative elements such as a glass top, coasters, or even a built-in storage compartment using wood planks or baskets. Give it a try and see the difference it can make!
To truly make your space feel more purposeful and inviting, consider the creativity, budget and time you are willing to dedicate in order to bring these designs to life. If done with thoughtfulness and care it’s easy to increase the value of your home while still keeping it within a sensible price range. Include DIY projects that showcase your personality and allows potential buyers look past any flaws too! With that being said, there is no doubt that when high-quality improvements and special touches are added simultaneously when putting a house up for sale – amazing things can happen! Don't forget to keep an open mind and trust yourself when it comes to picking materials and styles – at the end of the day reflect upon what kind of atmosphere will help potential buyers envision themselves living happily in that space. So here's wishing the best of luck with giving your property a well-deserved makeover! I’m Jen Bedard, experienced Realtor with McGarr Realty in the Niagara Region; contact me when you’re ready to take the next step in your buying and selling journey.
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