You’ve dreamed of updating your home for a while now, but a full kitchen remodel or new flooring just isn’t in the budget. Don’t despair—there are plenty of ways to revitalize and update your home without breaking the bank. Check out these simple updates that’ll give your home a fresh look, inside and out. Once your project is complete, you’ll be dying to show off your beautiful abode to family and friends!  

1) SPRUCE UP YOUR FRONT DOOR

Difficulty: Moderate | Half-Day Project

This is the first thing guests see when they walk up to your home. A high-end wooden door adds charm, but even a fresh coat of paint in a bold, inviting color can dramatically boost curb appeal. 

If you plan to replace the door, make sure to have someone to help you.

2) REPAIR WINDOW SCREENS - WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW

Difficulty: Easy | Under 1 hour per screen

Torn screens are an eyesore—and easy to fix. Pick up a screen-repair kit and a rolling tool at your local hardware store. Or, drop them off at a hardware store that offers screen replacement services at a reasonable price. They’ll usually have it ready for you in just a couple of days.

3) CURE DIRTY OR CRUMBLING GROUT

Difficulty: Moderate | 1-2 hours (cleaning)

Tile is beautiful and durable, but grimy grout makes it look dated. Make your tile floor or shower look new again by cleaning the grout. You can easily revive it with a homemade cleaning solution using ingredients you likely already have on hand.

Try this DIY grout cleaner: Mix 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap with ½ cup baking soda and ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide. Apply the mixture to the grout lines and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Then, scrub with a stiff-bristled brush and rinse with cool water. This foaming paste gently lifts away dirt, kills bacteria (thanks to the hydrogen peroxide) and removes stains—especially on flat surfaces like tile floors.

It requires a little elbow grease, and because the solution needs time to soak, it may be less effective on vertical surfaces like backsplashes where the paste can slide down before it sets. Still, for floors and other horizontal surfaces, it’s a gentle, affordable and chemical-free option that gets the job done.

If your grout is beyond cleaning, you’ll need to remove and replace it. Expect to spend around $200 for materials.

4) UPDATE SWITCH & OUTLET COVERS

Difficulty: Easy | Under 1 hour

This is a super easy way to update a room, and there are so many choices for every decorating style. If you like the look of metal plates but don’t want the expense, pick up some metallic spray paint in bronze, brushed nickel or silver. Just remove the covers, spray paint them and they’ll be ready to put back on in an hour or so.

5) REPLACE CEILING FAN BLADES 

Difficulty: Easy | Under 1 hour

Fan blades tend to show wear long before the fixture does. If your ceiling fan still works well, just replace the blades. Most come in sets that are less than $50. It’s cheaper than buying a whole new unit.

6) ADD A FRESH COAT OF PAINT

Difficulty: Moderate | Weekend Project

Paint is one of the most transformative tools at your disposal. With hundreds of shades to choose from, there’s plenty of creativity to give your room the designer look you want. 

Visit your hardware store for inspiration and buy a few sample colors to test at home. Even bold or unexpected shades can look stunning when paired with your flooring and décor. Try out different combinations to see what works best in your space—you might be surprised by what you love.

7) PAINT TRIM AND DOORS

Difficulty: Moderate | Weekend Project

Freshly painted trim and doors create a clean, cohesive look. In smaller homes, stick with white or light gray to brighten rooms. Larger homes can handle bolder colors like charcoal, coffee or rich tans. 

Before getting your paint mixed, pick up plenty of sample cards with various undertones and hold them against the walls in each room to find the color that looks pleasing.

8) TRY WALLPAPER IN SMALL SPACES

Difficulty: Moderate | Half-Day Project

Wallpaper is back in style, especially in small rooms like powder rooms or entryways. Go with neutrals, metallics, geometric patterns or textures for a modern look.

9) REPLACE VENT COVERS

Difficulty: Easy | Under 30 minutes

Painted-over or dented vent covers make your home feel dated. Swapping them out is a quick and inexpensive fix. You can get some “art nouveau” or “elegant scroll” vents for around $20 apiece.

10) RE-CAULK THE BATHROOM - WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW

Difficulty: Easy | 1-2 hours

Stained or deteriorating caulk around tubs and sinks is unsightly. Luckily, it’s easy to fix with a little time and patience. Remove the old caulk, clean the area thoroughly, then reapply a fresh bead. HouseLogic.com offers step-by-step instructions to guide you through the process. Materials are inexpensive, and the total cost typically comes in well under $100.

11) TACKLE HARD WATER STAINS

Difficulty: Easy | Under 1 hour

Hard water can leave behind tough stains in your toilet or tub. CLR (Calcium, Lime and Rust remover) works well on porcelain. If your bathtub is vinyl or acrylic, the CLR must be diluted and can remain on the fixture for only a couple minutes, so read instructions carefully. For tougher buildup, use a handled pumice stone—just avoid using it on acrylic or vinyl surfaces.

12) UPDATE CABINET HARDWARE

Difficulty: Easy | Under 1 hour

New cabinet knobs and pulls can give your bathroom or kitchen a facelift, and there are tons of styles to choose from.

13) REVITALIZE OR PAINT CABINETS

Difficulty: Moderate | Weekend Project

For solid wood cabinets, products like Old English can restore their finish. If they’re beyond that, painting them—especially in trendy white, gray or bold hues—can make them feel brand new.

14) INSTALL A KITCHEN BACKSPLASH - WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW

Difficulty: Challenging | Weekend Project

A tile backsplash adds texture, color and a high-end feel while protecting your walls from splatters and stains. Whether you choose classic subway tile, bold mosaics or patterned ceramic, a backsplash can become a stunning focal point.

Prefer an easier route? Faux tile or peel-and-stick backsplash panels offer a quick, budget-friendly alternative that mimics the look of real tile without the need for grout or specialty tools. You can often find discounted tile at Habitat for Humanity Restore!

15) UPDATE DOORKNOBS

Difficulty: Easy | Under 1 hour

Do your doorknobs look shabby or dated? This is another easy fix!

Brushed nickel is trendy and easy to install with a screwdriver. Don’t forget to match the hinges for a polished look.