6 Home Improvement Ideas That Do Not Require a Contractor
While many of us have a wish list of home projects, a major renovation requires money, time, patience and usually a contractor and permits. But home improvements do not have to cost a fortune. There are several ways to refresh your home that you can do by yourself without the need for a contractor. Here are six do-it-yourself (DIY) ideas to update your home.
1. Buy New Furniture
One of the easiest ways to completely change the look of a living room, bedroom or dining room is to replace the furniture. Heavily used pieces like your couch and mattress can wear out quickly and may need to be replaced every 5 to 7 years. In addition to updating your furniture, new accent items like chairs, rugs and pillows will further compliment not only the design but help change the mood and personality of any room.
2. Refresh with a Coat of Paint
A fresh coat of paint is a quick and inexpensive way to change your walls, moldings and ceilings. Pick a color that creates a dramatic backdrop to completely change the style of your room. The paint possibilities are endless. Use paint on your cabinets, front door, bathroom or anywhere to add pops of color and compliment your style transformation throughout the house.
3. Replace Hardware
Taking a closer look at your hardware is a natural next step after painting. Fresh walls need brand new (or repainted) light switches and outlet covers. Spice up your kitchen cabinets by replacing the handles and pulls. Simple metal hardware usually works best. Carry the hardware upgrades throughout the house with new door handles, faucets, etc. Also, take a closer look at things like air conditioning grilles. Focus on one room at a time for an easy way to refresh the entire house.
4. Add an Outdoor Room
If you know your way around a shovel and can move flagstone or cement pavers, consider creating a new patio area. Make your patio into an outdoor oasis with a bistro set, relaxed outdoor seating, bar furniture, umbrellas and even a fire pit. Enhance your landscaping with new plants and add potted palms to complete your backyard escape.
5. Install Laminate Flooring
With the right tools and a little planning, installing new laminate flooring can take your home refresh to the next level. Laminate, composite, floating and vinyl tile flooring products have come a long way in recent years, making it a lot easier to install. Check out the many YouTube experts online to help you prepare and plan. Or look for retailers that cater to the “do-it-yourselfer” like Floor & Décor, which offers in-store installation classes to learn helpful insights and tips before you get started.
6. Change Lighting
If you ready to take your DIY skills to the next level and know the basic principles of electricity, consider changing lighting fixtures. Be sure to learn how to properly connect the wires and always turn off the power at the breaker box before getting started. With a little research and a safety-first approach, you can update light fixtures, ceiling fans, chandeliers and even add dimmer switches. When choosing new lighting options, it’s important to consider functionality, existing light sources and room ambiance along with the lighting design elements.
Love Your Home Without the Major Renovation Headaches
Our lives and the time we spend at home have changed significantly. This shift has many of us thinking more about our home’s functional needs as well as a renewed appreciation for our individual sense of style. If the timing and budget is not right for that big renovation you don’t have to wait. Consider the many options available to update your home without a contractor.
The Global Sales experts are also here to help our island customers with product recommendations specifically for tropical climates. Global Sales will source items from the top manufacturers and coordinate shipping and export paperwork to Bermuda and the Caribbean. We make it easy to order new furniture, pick the right paint, coordinate matching hardware, update your lighting or even install new flooring. Plus, we make sure it all ships together with all the supplies you need to successfully complete your next DIY project.