Winter is almost here, but that doesn’t mean you have to hang up the tool belt. You can keep the DIY going with winter home improvement projects. Do these without propping open doors or freezing your fingers.
#1 Update Your Laundry Room
You can start switching out the lights. An easy fix, in almost any room, is to switch out the light fixtures and upgrade with something a bit more stylish. We often don’t think of lighting in the laundry room, but new fixtures can change the mood, look and vibe
of your laundry space in no time at all.
To make your laundry space more functional, you can add shelves and bins for laundry baskets and detergent and put a countertop over the washer and dryer. Add a little peel-and-stick wallpaper, and you can make the chore-heavy room more enjoyable without fumigating your cozy home with paint.
#2 Add Crown Molding
Putting up crown molding, installing bead-board wainscoting, and creating an archway may sound intimidating. You can put it at the top of walls or door frames or on the wall along the top of cabinets.
It’s not just pretty; crown molding will cover dings and nicks on walls. You won’t be using a ton of paint on molding, so fumes won’t be an issue, either.
Installing crown is only slightly more complicated than running baseboard.
#3 Change Out Cabinet Hardware
Hang on a second: Before you decide to take on the hassle and expense of a full-fledged kitchen renovation, consider that a variety of cheaper, easier alternatives can deliver a similarly dramatic transformation, especially in combination.
So long as the boxes remain in decent condition, you can actually leave them intact and only reface or replace the cabinet doors. Especially when paired with new hardware, updated cabinet fronts can totally remake the look of your kitchen in short order and typically on a small budget.
#4 Get a New Faucet
Normally, plumbing projects are near the top of the list of “Don’t Try This A
t Home” ideas. But this one is an easy one— as long as you get a faucet with the
same number of mounting holes in your sink.
Just turn off the water shutoff valves under the sink, and follow the instructions that come with the faucet. If you can assemble an IKEA bookshelf, you can install a faucet. Really.
#5 Put in a New Bathroom Vanity
Installing a new vanity is easiest with a unit that includes a countertop with an integrated sink. The vanity cabinet is separate from the top. The cabinet has an open top and back, so it’s easy to set in place and fasten from above. Once the cabinet is secured, the countertop-sink unit is dropped in, usually with the faucet pre-installed. The final step is making the water supply and drain connections. Some vanity sets include a separate backsplash piece. This is typically installed with caulk or adhesive after the countertop is secured.
#6 Max Out Your Kitchen Storage
If there’s always a loud clattering or an avalanche of lids whenever you open the cabinet door, it’s time to organize those pots and pans. Install a few pan dividers and stack pots and lids within the cabinet. You can also organize baking sheets and pans by placing the dividers perpendicular to the shelf.
Turn a kitchen wall into a sto
rage wall by covering it in easy-to-install pegboard, then hanging pots, pans, cutting boards, and other utensils on it. You can find pegboard in a variety of colors and styles now, so you can skip the fume-y painting step.
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