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Home Improvement Ideas: 32 Ways to Upgrade Your Home

Looking for DIY home improvement projects? Whether you’re trying to sell your home or simply want to upgrade your space, these 32 home improvement and renovation ideas can help you get started!

Increase Storage Space

One simple home improvement idea is to include more storage space throughout your home. It could be as simple as adding floating shelves and bookshelves to your living room. Or you can go bigger with projects like expanding existing closets and building under stair storage!

Do Some Painting

A quick and easy home improvement project is to paint your walls. Opt for light colors like gray, beige, and white in small rooms to help the space reflect light and feel more open. If you want a more dramatic look in your home, paint with darker colors like navy blue and deep purple. Don’t want to paint the whole room? Accent walls are an easy way to add a pop of color to your space without a ton of work!

 

Boost Natural Light

If you’re looking for tips for home renovation, think about improving the natural light throughout your home! Pull out old windows and install large floor-to-ceiling windows. Build skylights into your bathrooms. Or go simpler with your project by just painting interiors white to help light reflect better throughout your home!

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Design an Open Floor Plan

Especially if you’re selling your home, consider remodeling your living space to be an open floor plan, as this is a common home feature buyers want! This remodeling project also improves the flow of your home by eliminating unnecessary walls and doorways, making it easier to move around your space!

Create a Master Suite

Planning a bedroom remodel? Turn your room into a master suite! Common master suite features include a double-door entry, a seating area, a master closet, and an ensuite with a double vanity.

Finish the Basement

finished basement with full bar and large sectional photo by Instagram user @briemarie1023

Photo via @briemarie1023

A large home improvement project you should consider is finishing your basement! Not only does a finished basement give you more livable square footage that can be used for a family room or entertaining space, but it also has a great return on investment and can help you sell your home faster!

Transform the Attic

Don’t forget about your attic when completing home improvements! You can customize the space to be whatever you want, such as a kids bedroom or playroom, home office, extra bathroom, or other living area. You may consider hiring a professional to help you plan this project, though, as finishing the attic can be more difficult due to its structural and insulation needs!

Add a Sunroom

Room additions are an excellent way to build onto your home! Sunrooms in particular are amazing if you want a controlled environment where you can enjoy the outdoors while still being inside. This space can serve a variety of purposes, such as a breakfast area, playroom, workout space, or greenroom.

Make a Statement with a Feature Wall

Want to make a room in your home stand out? Create a focal point with a DIY feature wall! Try adding board and batten, putting up printed wallpaper, or painting the feature wall a bold color like black or bright green.

Change Up the Ceiling

vaulted ceiling over living room and kitchen with wooden beams photo by Instagram user @roehnerryan

Photo via @roehnerryan

If you want to update a room and give it a modern look, give your ceiling a makeover! For DIY projects, consider painting your ceiling an accent color, adding faux beams, or installing ceiling tile. For a larger remodeling project, hire a professional to help you incorporate vaulted ceilings!

Go for Crown Molding

Crown molding is one way to give your walls and ceilings a makeover, and there are different materials to choose from, including wood and plaster. Or if you’re on a budget and looking for an easy DIY project, you can opt for peel and stick crown molding, too!

Say Goodbye to Carpet

sitting room with wood flooring photo by Instagram user @featherglass

Photo via @featherglass

Looking for a simple way to update your home? Replacing carpet with hardwood flooring can help you create a modern yet timeless look in your home. Plus, hardwood floors are low-maintenance and easier to clean than carpet. On a budget? Save money by installing wood floors yourself with this DIY project!

Opt for Laminate Wood Floors

Updating your floors with laminate flooring that looks like wood is an easy and affordable DIY home renovation idea! They’re quick to install and can be finished within a few hours. Plus, laminate floors are resistant to stains, making clean-ups a breeze!

Upgrade Appliances

One of the more important house improvements you can make is upgrading kitchen and laundry room appliances. Refrigerators, washer-dryers, dishwashers, ovens, and other appliances have become more energy-efficient in the past few years, so buying new can help you save money on utilities!

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Update Kitchen Cabinets

A kitchen cabinet remodel could be the perfect way to enhance your home. A cabinet upgrade can open up the space in your kitchen, give you more storage, or create a more modern look in your home. On a budget? Painting your current cabinets is an affordable DIY project that can have a big impact!

Break Up Space with Open Shelving

kitchen with subway tile backsplash with open shelving photo by Instagram user @henhurst

Photo via @henhurst

Open shelving is a simple way to free up space, especially in a small kitchen where cabinets can feel bulky. Not only does open shelving make it possible for you to keep dishes, spices, and other kitchen items organized, but it’s also fairly easy to install yourself if you’re on a budget!

Try Glass-Paned Cabinet Doors

Don’t want to do a traditional cabinet update? Go with glass-paned cabinet doors! You can choose from quite a few options like clear or frosted glass; plexiglass is also a great solution if you’re on a budget. These cabinets are easy to clean and an amazing way to show off your favorite dishes!

Install a Unique Backsplash

If you’re looking for kitchen makeover ideas, don’t skip the backsplash! There are endless designs and colors you can go with, and it’s a fantastic way to have your personal style represented in your home. Not only that, but a backsplash helps protect the walls underneath and makes cleaning much easier!

Put in a Breakfast Bar

kitchen area with nice breakfast bar with metal bar stools photo by Instagram user @styleathomemag

Photo via @styleathomemag

A breakfast bar can be the ideal update to your kitchen, especially if you’re in need of more countertop space. The extra space will give you a place to eat breakfast, prepare food, entertain guests, and more. Plus, there are many ways to make your breakfast bar stand out, such as using a contrasting bench top or vintage bar stools!

Give Door Handles a New Look

One of the best DIY home projects that only takes a day or two to complete is updating your door handles. Change out dated brass knobs for handles with a sleek, matte finish! If you’re on a budget, you can even use spray paint to give your handles an upgraded feel.

Makeover Your Bathroom Walls

updated bathroom walls with yellow subway tiles and new light fixture photo by Instagram user @ipatrickdesign

Photo via @ipatrickdesign

Need to make long-lasting bathroom renovations? Give the walls a makeover by adding ceramic tile. These are easy to clean and, best of all, resistant to odors and stains! Keep it classic with white subway tile or make a statement with bright-colored tile!

Refurbish the Shower

Finish off your bathroom remodel by refurbishing the shower. Replacing your shower head with a water-saving fixture, adding in shelving or seating, and installing new tile are just a few ideas to get you started. If your shower is slightly outdated, this is a smart project to complete!

Go Modern with a Floating Vanity

A floating vanity is great if you’re going for a modern bathroom remodel. This type of cabinet can be the perfect addition to a smaller bathroom, as it can make the space feel bigger. This sleek look even makes cleaning floors easier, too, as it eliminates tight spaces where dust bunnies tend to hide!

Switch Up the Bathroom Floor

If you’re looking for ways to increase home value, don’t forget about the bathroom floor! Porcelain tile has an average of 70% resale value, and there are tons of design options available. Also, this type of flooring pairs well with radiant heating and will give buyers an incentive if you plan to sell your home!

Try a Sliding Barn Door

Sliding barn door set up in bedroom photo by Instagram user @ourtxnest

Photo via @ourtxnest

A space-saving home improvement option is a sliding barn door! This stylish addition to your home can be used as an entrance to a laundry room, dining room, master bedroom, or anywhere you see fit! Plus, installation is easy enough to complete on your own!

Restore Your Front Door

Want to improve your home’s curb appeal? Give your front door a makeover by painting your old door a new color or installing a brand one. Not only will a new door look great, but it can increase the energy-efficiency in your home by eliminating any drafts as well!

Replace Garage Doors

If your current garage door is old and deteriorating, replace it during an outdoor home renovation project! Whether you want the traditional roll-up garage door or a tilt-up garage door, you can customize your garage to complement your home and improve energy-efficiency!

Modernize the Garage

If your garage doors are in good shape, but you want to give them a fresh modern look, think about making some simple updates. Need some inspiration to get you started? Try adding decorative hardware like hinges and handles, installing windows, or painting it a different color.

Build a Deck

Building a deck is a home renovation project that can boost home value and give you somewhere comfortable to hang out outside of your house! While wooden decks have a great return on investment, which can be good if you plan to sell your home, other materials like vinyl or composite can provide a low-maintenance, budget-friendly option for adding a deck!

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Create Some Privacy with Fencing

updated horizontal fencing with plants hanging photo by Instagram user @deconome

Photo via @deconome

Add both style and privacy to your yard with a fence! Go with the classic picket fence look, opt for composite or vinyl, or stick to the standard vertical closeboard. Want something more modern? Build a fence with horizontal boards where you can install planters—this is ideal for landscaping a small yard!

Landscape the Lawn

Landscaping is an essential project for outdoor home improvement, and it can even improve your home’s resale value! There are tons of landscaping ideas out there. You can add a stone pathway or install a water feature. Or you can go big with backyard ideas like outdoor kitchens and pools!

 

 

 

Wow with Window Boxes

black window boxes filled out with lots of plants photo by Instagram user @ccbella.t

Photo via @ccbella.t

A simple way to add some color and beauty to the outside of your home is by installing window boxes! Plant flowers and greenery like petunias, geraniums, ivy, and others to give your home a classic look.

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Need to store furniture and other items while you make home improvements? Extra Space Storage has convenient storage locations throughout the U.S. Reserve self storage for a home renovation!

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