Does the idea of a finished home remodel sound appealing, but the thought of suffering through an actual home remodel sounds terrible? Let’s face it, everybody wants the end result of a refreshed home, but nobody really wants to go through the construction process of hiring a contractor, swinging a hammer, or spending weeks/months emptying sawdust out of your shoes, eating off of paper plates, and covering your furniture under plastic sheeting. (That’s the kind of detail you only get from living from experience.) That’s not the only option. Some inexpensive home remodel ideas can be done in a weekend or two. Best of all, none of them require demolition! We’ll detail these easy home remodel hacks in order of simplicity, cost, and impact so you can choose the best option for your time and budget.
Cabinet Hardware For Easy Home Remodel
First up on our list of simple home remodel ideas is cabinetry. If your cabinets look a little tired, you don’t need to rip them out and start from scratch. You’ll be amazed at how much simply refreshing your cabinet hardware will change the look of your home. Switching out your knobs and pulls is easy, and once you find the new hardware you like, making the change is easy.
Selecting hardware for an easy home remodel is the toughest part of the process. There are a lot of options to choose from, so the first step is deciding what finish you want. There are several popular finishes right now:
Aged Brass
This antique finish is classic and traditional. It is understated and goes well with many different styles.
Unlacquered Polished Brass
This cabinet hardware has the look of gold, and gold is and forever will be a classic finish. But the standout quality of unlacquered polished brass cabinet hardware is how it ages over time. It develops a beautiful patina that gives it a worn and welcoming look.
Polished Nickel
This shiny silver finish is crisp and clean. It brightens up a space and adds a modern touch to any space.
Flat Black
Flat black hardware modernizes any space. It provides a stark contrast with most cabinets, making the hardware stand out and make a statement.
Painted
This is by far the most labor-intensive option for replacing cabinet hardware. It involves selecting wooden hardware and painting it to match the cabinet paint. This hardware gives a monochromatic look to the room, so it’s a good choice if you want your cabinets to be the star.
Selecting the best hardware for a home remodel is about more than just picking the finish you like. You also need to decide on the style you like and whether you need knobs or pulls. If you are replacing your current hardware, you will likely want to use the same type of hardware, i.e., knobs and/or pulls, as your existing hardware. This allows you to use the same holes, which means this simple home remodel idea is as easy as unscrewing the old hardware and screwing the new one into the same hole. Using the same hole, you don’t have to fill, sand, or paint a thing.
If you want to change things up completely, or if your cabinets don’t already have hardware, you need to pick the right hardware for the job. Typically knobs are used on anything that opens with a hinge. That means cabinet doors get a knob. Pulls tend to be used on anything that slides open, like a drawer. This is ultimately determined by personal preference, but that’s a good place to start.
TRENDING: The Best Kitchen Design Ideas For Your Home
For anyone who wants the best hardware but isn’t crazy about breaking the bank, the quality, selection, and prices of Tradition Hardware can’t be beaten. Tradition Hardware is our sister company and offers a selection of classic hardware in three popular finishes. The quality is just as good as its higher-end competitors, but the prices are affordable, which makes them an equally perfect choice for a high-end home or an inexpensive home remodel.
Vent Upgrade For Home Remodel
Standard air vents are BORING! But doing a vent upgrade for a home remodel project is easy. This is one of our favorite hacks because of its impact. Plus, it’s an easy way to make a home feel custom.
DISCOVER: 10 Frequently Asked Questions About Decorative Vent Covers
The builder basic white metal grate vents in most homes are an eyesore. We often put up with them because most homes have them, which are a functional part of the home. However, upgrading the vents using custom decorative vent covers not only makes a room look better, but it also maintains the vent’s functionality. Because this is a home improvement project most homeowners overlook, upgrading and replacing your vent covers will make your home stand out in all the best ways.
Paint Ideas For Easy Home Remodel
Changing the entire look of your home is only a can of paint away. Paint is a fairly easy project that can impact the mood of your home. Whether you are slightly changing colors, going in a totally new direction, or simply adding a fresh coat of the current color, paint will make a space feel like new. Following are a few paint ideas for an easy home remodeling project.
If you’re not sure what color to choose for your home, it’s good to remember the basic tenets of color. Dark or bold colors will make a space feel smaller. On the other hand, lighter colors will expand a space and make it feel larger than it is.
The sheen of the paint you choose also makes a difference. Gloss paint is the easiest to clean. That’s why it’s typically used on cabinets and surfaces that often need cleaning. Semi-gloss paint is great for kitchens and other rooms that see heavy use and where the walls may need to be washed from time to time. Flat paint shows marks and is tough to clean, so it should be used in living rooms or other areas where the walls aren’t likely to get used and abused.
Once you’ve selected the color and sheen of your paint, the hardest part of painting is the prep work. Cover all of the furniture, floors, and decor with plastic sheeting. Remove any artwork from the walls, and patch and repair any holes. You’ll also want to remove the light switch and outlet covers. Then, start painting by carefully edging the baseboards, ceiling, and corners before rolling the paint to cover the main part of the wall. The number of coats your room requires depends on the color of paint you choose, but we recommend doing at least two for the best coverage and coloring.
Updating Light Fixtures For Easy Home Remodel
Updating light fixtures for an easy home remodel is something that requires a little more skill, but it’s still totally within the realm of a DIY project. Anyone can easily tackle this job with a ladder and a YouTube tutorial or two. Updating the style of your lighting will change the look of your home, but replacing old fixtures with energy-efficient ones can also save you money on your utility bill as well.
Most homes come with a similar-looking standard type of light fixture. This is silly, considering how many types of lighting are actually available. You can replace your basic light fixtures with pendants, chandeliers, sconces, LED fixtures, and more. While some projects may require the help of an electrician, most do not.
Adding A Tile Backsplash For Simple Home Remodel
If your kitchen doesn’t already have a backsplash, adding one will help protect your walls and add visual interest and appeal. If you already have a backsplash, updating it can go a long way to bring a room into the current era. This is a project that needlessly intimidates a lot of people.
Installing or replacing a tile backsplash for an easy home remodel is a semi-skilled project but one that still falls into the doable category for DIYers. Video tutorials, like this Home Depot tile backsplash how-to, will help guide you through the tools and steps needed to complete this project.
When it comes to choosing the tile for the backsplash, you’ll want to utilize a durable and low-maintenance material such as ceramic or porcelain. As far as design goes, here are three things to think about:
How far up do you want the tile to go?
We recommend taking the tile up to the ceiling, but you can also do a shorter backsplash if it is finished correctly.
Do you want something timeless or trendy?
Our recommendation on this one is to go with something timeless, but if something more trendy is calling your name, by all means, go for it. Just bear in mind that you will likely need to replace the tile down the line, as the lifespan of a trendy tile will be shorter.
Is it easy to clean?
A backsplash is meant to make your life easier, not harder. Opt for a tile that is easy to clean and will stand the test of time.
Update Your Home With Inexpensive Home Remodel Ideas
A home remodel doesn’t need to be an extensive and months-long project. Making a few updates in your spare time can greatly impact the look of your home and help you love your space again. Simple fixes like changing cabinet hardware, painting, upgrading vent covers, adding a tile backsplash, and upgrading light fixtures are all easy ways to update your home without investing excessive time or money in the project.
Want more inexpensive home remodel ideas? Follow Christopher Scott Cabinetry on Pinterest!
