Single Day Projects For Home Improvement

You don't need lots of time or money for home improvements with a big impact. Lots of affordable projects can be accomplished in only a day.

Quick Fixes for Any Room

No matter which room you'd like to update, these quick projects provide an almost instant face-lift:

• Fresh paint: Change your whole color scheme with a new shade, or simply brighten your room with a fresh coat of your existing color.
• Window treatments: New curtains, shades or blinds either brighten or soften your room, while introducing new color if you choose.
• New lighting: Something as simple as new lamps brightens your space and defines your style.
• Dimmers and switch plates: Introduce subtle mood lighting with a dimmer switch you can install within an hour, or replace old switch plates with new ones that match your decorating style, color and themes.
• Accessories: You'd be surprised what a few sparkling vases, sculptures, centerpieces, new shelving or other accessories can do to perk up a room.

• Wall art: Brighten a dark room with a light sunny framed print, or add some deep warm colors to a pale one with a richly colored oil painting. Don't forget intricate tapestries for a cozy touch or mirrors for a feeling of light and space.
• Area rugs: These rugs add color, texture and definition to a room in addition to covering up worn flooring.
• Peel and stick flooring: In a few hours, you can install a brand new floor right on top of your existing one.
• Paint or refinish a door: Make any exterior or interior door look brand new again. Take this a step further by installing new doorknobs or handles.
• Rent a carpet steamer: You may discover that your carpet becomes a completely new color after you steam-clean it.
• Closet storage systems: These systems beautify your closets as well as your living space by giving you a convenient place to store what would otherwise become clutter.
• Rearrange the furniture: By just moving your existing furniture around, you'll get a new room without having to buy or install a thing.

Starting at the Top

Even though most people don't focus on a room's ceiling, fixing up this area really improves the appearance of any room. These ceiling improvements can all be completed in a day:

• Changing the lighting fixtures
• Installing a ceiling fan
• Adding a ceiling medallion.

Dramatic Living Room and Family Room Makeovers

A huge percentage of peaceful family time and fun visits with friends takes place in the living room or family room. Fixing up these well-used areas has a big impact on the whole house. Try these easy ideas for a fresh new space to socialize:

• Dress up your seating: Fitted slipcovers for sofas and upholstered chairs bring new colors, patterns and textures to your seating.
• Sprinkle some throw pillows: Accent pillows add little splashes of color for a more subtle change. Because these pillows are small, dramatic touches such as sequins, beads or shiny metallic fabrics won't overwhelm your room.
• Refinish or paint wooden furniture: Give your old wooden furniture a facelift or an entirely new look with paint or varnish. For a cozy cottage look, stencil on a pattern of hearts and flowers.
• Cover your tables: If you're looking for an instant furniture change, consider tablecloths for your coffee and end table. You don't have to stick to traditional tablecloths; tapestries, throws and even small hand-knit blankets dress up accent tables beautifully.

A New Look for Your Bathroom

Your bathroom offers lots of opportunities for quick and easy improvements. Here are just a few:

• Install a new showerhead and faucets.
• Replace your shower curtain and bathmat.
• Hang pretty new towels and washcloths.
• Replace your toilet seat bath.
• Add new bathroom accessories such as a toothbrush holder, garbage pail, bathroom-cup, rug, and soap dish.

Easy Bedroom Updates

Your bedroom can also become a serene new sanctuary within a day. Just introducing new bedding and decorative pillows transforms a bedroom instantly. Adding an electric fireplace adds warmth and atmosphere. You may also want to try some of these easy changes:

• Install a new headboard.
• Refinish your furniture.
• Display fresh flowers.

For a child's bedroom, some bright wall decals or favorite music/movie posters create a fun, new look.

Upgrading Your Kitchen

When thinking about kitchen upgrades, long-term, expensive projects usually come to mind. This doesn't have to be the case, however. Freshen up your kitchen by:

• Installing new cabinet and drawer pulls or knobs
• Adding colorful new face panels for major kitchen appliances
• Refinishing or painting of cabinets
• Installing ceramic tile over countertops
• Covering a countertop in decorative contact paper
• Replacing old small appliances
• Adding new chair pads and tablecloths
• Introducing attractive new dishes.