10 Home Improvement Projects That Won’t Make You Sweat

We all know the feeling of dread when we see a pile of work to be done.

Whether you’re moving into a new house or just want to freshen up your current space, home improvement projects can be daunting and time-consuming.

But there’s no need for them to be!

With these helpful tips and tricks, you’ll soon enjoy the fruits of your labor rather than fretting over it.

So get ready to transform your home with some quick fixes that will have long-lasting effects on how much you enjoy living in it.

Let’s get started!

1. Paint your front door a bright color.

A bright, freshly painted front door will make your neighbors feel welcome when they visit.

A fresh coat of paint can help your home’s curb appeal, increase its value, and just brighten up your day when you come home to see it!

The best part?

It doesn’t require a professional painter, special skills, or special equipment.

Just get your supplies at the nearest home improvement store and start painting!

In just a few brief hours, you’ll have transformed your front door for the better.

Here’s how to paint your front door:

• First, find a color that complements your home’s exterior.
• Remove the secondary door if you have one.
• Next, paint both sides of the door with high-quality latex or acrylic paint.
• Allow the paint to dry for eight hours.
• Do a second coat of paint, if desired.
• Finally, spray a clear topcoat onto the door to protect the fresh paint.
• Painting your front door a bright color is an easy way to improve your home’s curb appeal without breaking too much of a sweat.

The steps are simple, so don’t be intimidated. Instead, try it and surprise yourself.

2. Create custom artwork for your walls.

Use sponges to create interesting shapes on the wall with watered-down paint. You can paint anything from flowers and leaves to geometric shapes.

If you don’t want to mess up the walls in your home when creating artwork, create the shapes on a piece of paper and tape them to your wall.

Here are the steps for creating custom artwork for your walls:

• Pour 1/2 cup of water into a small bowl.
• Dilute 1 or 2 tablespoons of acrylic paint in the water until it becomes translucent.
• Squeeze out excess liquid from 1 sheet of sponge, then dip the sponge into your diluted paint mixture until it is complete.
• Starting at an edge, press down hard on the surface with the sponge. This will create an imprint on the other side.
• Keep pressing around different areas of your home’s entryway or interior walls to make various leaf and flower shapes.
• Allow the paint to dry for eight hours, then remove your artwork from the wall.

A good tip for creating custom artwork on your walls is to be sure to protect your floor and furniture.

Cover the floors and other areas around your walls with an old sheet or tarp to avoid any staining or messes.

3. Organize small items with a magnetic strip.

Use a magnetic strip to corral all those loose keys and random bits of hardware that gather near entryway or interior doors.

Here’s how:

• Attach a 9-by-21/2 inch rectangle magnet to each side of a 5-inch square sheet of steel flashing using an adhesive spray or epoxy glue.
• Cut out four pieces of 1×1 inch wood molding at least 2 inches long.
• Drill two holes in each piece of wood molding, one near the top and one at the bottom.
• Screw two small hooks into one side of your entryway or interior door frame to hang your newly created magnetic key rack.
• Hang your keys from the key hook!

Keeping your keys and hardware organized allows for quick access to everything you need, which is incredibly convenient when you’re in a rush.

4. Clean off your entryway with a walk-off mat.

A high-traffic area like an entryway can get dirty quickly, especially if you have pets or live in a hard-water area where water gets tracked into your home.

As soon as you step onto this welcome mat, dirt, soil, and even excess water are immediately whisked away before it has time to contact any inside your home.

Here’s how to create a walk-off mat:

• Measure the width and length of your entryway.
• Next, cut two pieces of heavy-duty vinyl that are at least 3 inches longer than your measurements with a utility knife.
• Use masking tape to hold the edges together, then staple the mat along all four sides.
• If you need additional traction underfoot, place rubber rug grippers beneath the mat.

5. Replace hardware on cabinets and doors.

By replacing the hardware on your cabinets and doors, you’ll give your kitchen makeover a whole new look without having to use an ounce of paint.

Add a pop of color by replacing the current knob with one in your favorite shade.

Here’s how to replace hardware on cabinets and doors:

• Remove the door from its hinges.
• Take out the screws from the existing hardware using a Phillips head screwdriver.
• Keep the removed pieces together in a container or envelope, so they don’t get lost.
• Attach your new hardware to the surface where the old hardware once was using a power drill and screws for your specific type of cabinet or door.
• Fix the door back onto its hinges, and you’re done!

6. Replace light bulbs with LED lights

Regular light bulbs are only 60% efficient, meaning that 40% of the energy they use is wasted in heat.

Conversely, LED lights are 90%-95% efficient because they convert most of their energy into light rather than heat.

Here’s how to replace your regular light bulbs with LED lights:

• Locate your home’s circuit breaker box to turn off the electricity before starting any electrical work.
• Remove the current bulb by turning counterclockwise, then place it in an envelope or container for safekeeping if you’re not ready to dispose of it yet.
• Secure your new LED light bulb into a place where your old light bulb once was.
• Switch the circuit breaker back on.

Tip: Dispose of your old lightbulbs in an eco-friendly way by dropping them off at a recycling center or community collection facility.

7. Install a new mailbox that matches your home’s exterior design.

Your mailbox is the first thing your neighbors, family members, and guests see when they approach your home.

You can purchase a new mailbox online or at the local hardware store and install it yourself.

Here’s how to replace your mailbox:

• Check with your homeowner’s association to see if any rules govern the style of mailbox you install.
• Purchase a new color-coordinated mailbox that matches your exterior home design online or at your local hardware store.
• Use a screwdriver to remove all screws securing the mailbox into its post.
• Install your new mailbox into this same spot using the screws provided with the new box.
• Be sure to recycle your old mailbox or donate it to charity.

8. Add an attractive outdoor rug.

An outdoor rug will add a pop of color to your entryway, porch, or patio while also helping you avoid tracking in grass cuttings or soil from outside.

Outdoor rugs are typically made of polypropylene, which is weatherproof and easily hosed down to clean.

Here’s how to add an outdoor rug:

• Locate the area where you want to place your new rug.
• Remove any loose or protruding rocks to ensure a smooth surface of your rug.
• Unroll your outdoor rug onto the ground in this exact spot, then use a garden hose with a sprayer to wet the entire surface, so the rug lies flat on the ground.
• Allow it to dry completely before walking on it or placing any furniture on it.

9. Get rid of clutter.

Clutter makes your rooms feel smaller and gives the appearance that you don’t care about your home’s architecture or design.

By organizing your belongings into baskets, drawers, or shelves, you’ll add much-needed storage space to any room in your home.

Here’s how to get rid of clutter:

• Locate any cabinets, closets, or bookshelves in a room where you wish to reduce clutter and begin exploring ways you can use these spaces for added storage.
• Use baskets to store children’s toys, shoes, miscellaneous items on surfaces such as countertops and tables.
• Evaluate which items are important enough to keep, and which ones can be donated or discarded.
• Dispose of old magazines, books, newspapers, and expired food items.

10. Clean your air conditioner’s air filter.

A dirty air conditioner will run less efficiently and could even cause damage to your HVAC system by overheating.

But a dirty filter is a problem easily solved with this simple home improvement project.

Here’s how to clean the air conditioner filter:

• First, turn off your HVAC system at the thermostat.
• Locate your air conditioning unit outside, then pull out the removable filter and use a vacuum cleaner with an

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