Home improvement and interior design are often considered complicated subjects, with many people believing they need to spend thousands of dollars and take years of training in order to do it right. But while it’s true that some projects are too big or specialized to tackle on your own, even beginners can pull off mini weekend makeovers that give their homes an instant upgrade without costing a fortune! To prove it, here are eleven mini weekend makeovers anyone can pull off for cheap!
1) Paint old furniture
painting old furniture is a great way to give it new life and style on a budget. And, it’s a perfect weekend project that won’t take up too much of your time. Here’s how to do it:
Start by sanding down the piece of furniture you want to paint. This will help the paint adhere better and give you a smooth surface to work with.
Once the piece is sanded, wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove any dust.
Now, decide what color you want to paint the piece. Use an acrylic or latex paint in the desired shade. Add two coats of paint and let dry between each coat. You can also choose from dozens of colors at your local hardware store if you don’t want to make your own mixture. After letting the final coat dry, seal it with clear gloss for protection against dirt and spills.
2) Give your bath a facelift with paint and stencils
A can of paint and some stencils are all you need to give your bathroom a mini makeover! First, decide on a color scheme. Then, paint the walls and ceiling. Once the paint is dry, stencil a design on the walls or in a focal point area. Add some new towels, rugs, and décor to complete the look. You could also add some extra storage with a bath mat or other shelf that hangs from the wall.
You don’t have to go out and buy everything at once—just pick up what you need when it goes on sale! The trick to making any room look like it cost more than $100 is being thoughtful about the pieces you choose. If you want an easy way to save money while still getting great items, shop secondhand stores. The best part? These one-time-only deals are often half the price of their original price tag.
3) Update your lighting with leftover plumbing supplies
Have you ever seen those super cool industrial looking light fixtures? The ones that look like they cost a fortune, but are actually pretty easy (and inexpensive) to DIY? Well, you can easily recreate that look in your own home using some leftover plumbing supplies! Here’s how -Remove the protective coating from the PVC pipe and fittings.
-Tape the joints together so there is no possibility of leakage.
-Attach an adapter fitting to one end of the pipe, then attach a threaded nipple to the other end.
-Place a socket on top of the nipple and tighten with pliers or wrench. You now have a light fixture! For another design element, use elbows to add curves and points of interest. To finish it off, paint it black and hang it above your dining table.
-For even more hanging storage, try these wire shelving units: Take 2-3 pieces of wire shelving systems ($10-$15 each), cut them down to size by measuring the distance between two brackets, spray paint them gold or white depending on what color you want them (spray paint can be found at any hardware store). Then hang them on the wall near your kitchen area. Voila.
4) Look for inexpensive wallpaper at craft stores
- Look for inexpensive wallpaper at craft stores. You can usually find something that would be perfect for your space.
- Choose a pattern or design that you love and would be willing to live with for a while.
- Measure the area you want to cover and figure out how many rolls of wallpaper you’ll need.
- Use painters tape to measure off squares on the wall, then remove it before painting over it.
- Cut the paper down to size, starting in one corner and using scissors or an X-acto knife to trim away excess paper.
- Place one end of the paper up against the baseboard, butt one edge against another, then press down along all four edges so there’s no gap between them (you may need help from someone else).
- Tape along all four edges again using painter’s tape and then paint over with two coats of primer/paint as needed.
5) Remodel your kitchen with tile flooring, faucet and knobs
If your kitchen is in dire need of a makeover but you don’t have the time or money for a complete gut job, don’t despair. There are plenty of ways to give your space a mini facelift that will leave a big impression. And the best part is, most of these weekend projects can be done on a shoestring budget. Here are five ideas to get you started -Give your old faucet and knobs an update with new hardware (eBay).
-Refinish cabinets with paint: Paint alone is an inexpensive way to spruce up tired cabinetry without having to invest in new doors and drawers.
-Replace tile flooring: Though not inexpensive, tile flooring is one of the cheapest home remodeling projects you can undertake. Installing it yourself saves even more money (DIY) or hire someone who does it for a living (Handyman).
-Paint walls: Painting your walls may seem like an obvious choice, but it’s still worth mentioning as there are many creative ways to give this project a unique spin. For example, how about painting each wall a different color? Or try creating stripes by alternating between two colors all the way around the room. The possibilities are endless when it comes to giving plain white walls some flair! From stenciled patterns to contrasting accents, if you feel like something needs a change, just reach for the paints.
-Add furniture: A couch or coffee table in an otherwise bare room can make all the difference. And although purchasing furnishings usually requires upfront investment, shopping secondhand often leads to great deals (Thrift store).
-Play with lighting: Updating your light fixtures is another quick way to transform any space. Changing out dated chandeliers for something fresh will add instant pizzazz (Light fixture store).
6) Repaint cabinets to match new appliances
Have you ever looked at your kitchen and felt like something was just…off? If your appliances are new but your cabinets are old and outdated, it can make the whole room feel disjointed. Repainting your cabinets is a quick and easy way to give your kitchen a fresh, new look that ties everything together. Plus, it’s a relatively inexpensive project that you can do in just a weekend. Here’s how First, sand down all of the surfaces on your cabinet doors and drawers so they’re nice and smooth.
Then prime them with primer (we recommend using oil-based primer) or use an undercoat if you have time before painting them. Use a brush or roller depending on what type of finish you want: a brush if you want a high gloss finish or roller if you want to get more coverage quickly.
Then paint with two coats of latex paint (to prevent chipping). You may need to do some touch-ups after this step as well. Once your cabinet doors are completely dry, assemble them back onto their hinges so they’ll be ready for next time!
7) Learn how to give wood furniture an antique look
There’s something about antique furniture that just oozes sophistication and elegance. If you’re looking to add a touch of class to your home décor, why not try giving your wood furniture an antique look? With a little bit of elbow grease and some inexpensive supplies, you can easily transform any piece of furniture into a work of art. Here’s how
1) Using an old towel or rag, wipe down the surface of the furniture with a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar.
2) Once it dries, paint the surface with chalkboard paint using a foam brush; be sure to use even strokes so that the color is consistent.
3) After it dries (it usually takes 24 hours), remove all traces of chalk by wiping it off with a damp cloth.
4) Now seal the chalkboard with polyurethane sealant for durability before applying polyurethane varnish with a natural bristle brush in smooth strokes to protect from scratching or stains from liquids such as coffee or wine.
8) Give windows new life with paint and stencils
Tired of looking at the same old windows? Give them new life with a fresh coat of paint and some stencils! You can easily add some interest and personality to your space without spending a lot of money. Plus, this is a project you can complete in just a few hours. If you’re feeling extra creative, use stencils to create patterns or words on the window panes. We love these arrows from Housekeeping Heroine that give a subtle hint of shape and color.