Sometimes our homes need a little updating, a quick refresh– nothing too costly or too time consuming. Maybe it’s just that you need a change. Either way, we’ve put together a list of ten small ways you can make big improvements to your home.
1. Refresh with paint
Paint is going to go a long way in changing the look and feel of your home. You don’t just have to limit it to the walls either. You might have some hard flooring that’s a bit outdated, painting it could be a simple and unique way to refresh it.Perhaps your kitchen cabinets look a little too old or simply bore you, a few coats of paint and you’d never recognize them.
It doesn’t stop there either, adding fresh paint to your entryway door will absolutely transform the curb appeal of your home. While you’re at it, throw some paint at your interior doors as well and see what happens. We think you’ll love the change!
2. Add crown molding
Many people forgo molding atop their walls, and it is a perfectly fine design choice. However, if you’re the kind of person who likes to add a little more old elegance and detail to their home, crown molding might just be the perfect option for you.
If your walls are already without any kind of molding on the top, your job just got much easier. Now all there is to do is cut your crown molding to size, and install it above your walls. You’ll instantly see how much style and sophistication this will add to your home design.
3. Add a stair-runner
If you have hardwood stairs, a stair runner is a beautiful way to add charm to your daily walks up and down the stairs. What’s so perfect about a stair runner is that it’s easily customizable, and even more easily removed.
If you get bored of the runner you chose at any moment, you could easily and efficiently switch it out for a new one. Sometimes the best options in a home refresh are the not so permanent ones. You’ve gotta love flexibility!
4. Refresh bathroom caulk
Bathrooms have a way of getting dirty. The grout gets muddy, and the caulk yellows with age and mildew. If your bathroom fits this description, fear not! Scrubbing the grout lines will take some elbow grease on your part, but refreshing the caulking around your bathroom is actually quite simple.
To remove the old caulk, start by dragging a utility knife along the edges, you’ll find it will pop out quite easily. Once all the old caulk is out, give the groove a good cleaning. We don’t want any unnecessary debris on there. Now it’s time to bust out the caulking gun and get to it. Your bathroom shower will look like it just had a life changing shower of its own.
5. Add new kitchen backsplash
Installing new backsplash behind your kitchen counters can be one of the most affordable ways to completely transform a room in your home. Not only does it provide function by making messy cooking cleanup as simple as a wipe, but it looks beautiful too!
If you don’t already have a backsplash installed in your kitchen, we can’t recommend doing so enough. You’ll love the way it looks, and it doesn’t have to cost a lot. Subway tiles are a gorgeous and popular option. They can run as low as 10 cents a tile!
6. Install built-in shelves
Built-in shelves are all the rage these days, because they’ve gotten really easy to customize. More and more homeowners are opting for the “make-shift” built in shelf. What we mean by that is, you don’t have to start from scratch.
You could take a few pre-made, free standing bookshelves, stack them as desired and screw them into your wall. Then add some molding around the edges, and you officially have a built-in bookshelf! You don’t have to be a master carpenter to get the entryway organization or entertainment center of your dreams.
7. Add faux beams to the ceiling
You might be a little limited with this one depending on how tall your ceilings are. You definitely don’t want to make them feel any smaller. However, if you have fairly tall, and maybe even angular ceilings, installing faux wood beams would give them a ton of character.
8. Change out door handles
This one is a game changer, and just about the easiest thing to do. If you take a good look at the door handles around your home, you might just realize how worn and old they are. Luckily for all of us, replacing them with new ones is a quick and easy task. Choose one’s that fit the overall design of your home and get to work. You’ll be amazed at the difference it will make!
9. Change out light fixtures
Replacing the light fixtures around your home can be a little more difficult in comparison to the door handles, but will make a change infinitely more drastic. If you’re not an electrician, it might be best to bring someone in who has experience with this sort of thing. Wiring is no joke! When you switch out your outdated fixtures for a new one of your choice, you’ll finally see the light!
10. Upgrade shower head
A souped up new shower head is kind of amazing, we can’t lie. Not only does it look pretty, but your shower and relaxation game will be on another level. You’ll never want to turn back to the old days of regular shower heads after this, so be warned!
That’s it, your home is ready and waiting for the next project you’re looking to tackle. Tag us in your home refresh pics on instagram, @CastleWindows!
