Sometimes a mini renovation or a small fix is all a space really needs to sing. And that’s a good thing—because life is busy, and working on where you live can require time, energy, and maybe even money you don’t have. That’s where weekend home improvement projects, a potential solution to some of your house woes, come in. These small jobs can often be done on tight timelines and with a limited DIY skill set, but that doesn’t mean they won’t make your home look or function better.
Little changes here and there can add up to big differences, but all DIY home improvement projects aren’t created equally. Here, you’ll learn about the impact of weekend projects and which ones to consider for maximum bang for your buck. You’ll even get the answers to some frequently asked questions about weekend projects, so you’ll have everything you need to complete your own job ASAP.
Why Weekend DIY Projects Are Worth It
A renovation or remodel might be the most dramatic way to shape your space. But you might be surprised by just how much decorative impact weekend home improvement projects can have. With a little bit of inspiration and some sweat equity, you can make your home even more warm and welcoming. Here’s a list of reasons why DIY home improvement projects can really pay off.
They’re Quick Transformations
If you put in a few hours of work on a Saturday—and maybe a Sunday, too—you can boost the curb appeal of your home or make the exterior feel more reflective of your unique style. The same goes for the interior. You don’t have to wait months and months to start enjoying your home more or to put your personal stamp on it. Weekend home improvement projects can happen quickly and without extensive planning or prep work.
Budget-friendly updates
Another pro of many weekend projects is that they’re economical. Because these DIYs don’t really involve structural changes and tend to focus on small cosmetic fixes, they’re not nearly as expensive as renovations or remodels. But that doesn’t mean they’re not effective. Often, these smaller-scale transformations offer a lot of bang for the buck visually.
Boosting everyday functionality
In addition to making your home look better, DIY home improvement can also improve your space’s function. While these jobs often won’t change the flow or layout of a room, many weekend DIYs can make spending time in a given room or outdoors more enjoyable.
The Best Weekend Home Improvement Projects
Now that you’ve heard all of the benefits of DIY home improvement projects, the next step is selecting the best one(s) for your space. When you’re looking to find a perfect project match, you’ll want to consider your skill level, what you have the time for, your budget, and the return on investment (ROI) the results could have for you down the road. These six projects tick all the boxes—they’re fairly inexpensive, impactful, and easy enough to complete in a weekend’s time, even for beginners.
Give Your Front Door a Glow-Up
First impressions matter, so make sure your front door is sending the right message. A coat of fresh paint goes a long way; you can go neutral or try a zingier hue, like red or turquoise, which command attention even from the street.
You can stop at paint, but if you have the extra budget—and a few extra hours—consider upgrading your house numbers, door knocker, or exterior lighting while you’re at it. A new doormat is the perfect finishing touch.
Tile a Backsplash
Kitchen and bathroom projects always have high ROIs, and that’s why a tiled backsplash is the perfect weekend DIY. A backsplash can make the walls look just a little more polished, and this feature is also functional, too—it can protect walls from things like moisture and oil splatters.
Backsplashes can also be easier to clean than drywall, which makes them come in handy for maintenance. Though typically found in kitchens, designers have also been installing them behind powder room and bathroom sinks as well.
No matter where you choose to install one, this tiling project is beginner-friendly and definitely accomplishable in a weekend. Just be sure to watch some tutorials before you attempt installation.
Install New Hardware
An even easier project for your kitchen, bathroom, or both rooms is replacing the cabinet or vanity hardware. All you need is a few simple tools (a screwdriver and maybe a jig/a drill) and new handles—you can choose a brass, chrome, nickel, or matte black finish, depending on what style you’re going for with your cabinetry.
Using a mixture of different knob and pull silhouettes will give your cabinets and drawers a high-end, designer look. Ordering samples from DesignShop can help you visualize just how this cabinetry facelift will land.
Hang a Gallery Wall
A gallery wall of artwork is ideal for filling blank space and personalizing a room. If you’ve been collecting art from your travels—or buying pieces as you see them online or at craft fairs and flea markets—it’d be totally doable to create an arrangement and mount pictures within the span of a day or two.
Plan the configuration and spacing of your gallery wall layout on a floor, and use paper to trace templates of your pieces so you know where to put them and where the nail holes will go. That way, you can recreate the arrangement on your wall easily. Use a level for extra accuracy.
Paint a Fireplace or Architectural Feature
Your home may have architectural charm in spades and you don’t even realize it because nothing is highlighting these elements. And that’s exactly what a fresh coat of paint will do to a feature like a neglected fireplace or tired wainscoting and moldings.
Make sure you’re using the proper formula for whatever material you’re painting, and sample colors before going all in on a formula—you can order swatches from DesignShop. And don’t forget proper prep before painting, which starts with cleaning and dusting.
Replace Switch Plates and Outlet Covers
They’re something you touch daily but maybe haven’t thought twice about design-wise—but those plastic switchplate and electrical outlet covers could be bringing your home down. Plus, they've probably gotten pretty dirty over the years.
So do yourself a favor by devoting a weekend afternoon to replacing them throughout the house. Choose something a little more decorative for extra polish. This is also a great project to spruce up before selling a home and requires nothing beyond a screwdriver (and new covers).
Frequently Asked Questions About Weekend Home Projects
Because DIY home improvement projects are popular with homeowners and renters alike, many people have questions about them, especially if they’ve never undertaken one before. This trio of frequently asked questions and answers should dispel some of your initial concerns about weekend home projects.
Can a project really be accomplished in a weekend?
If you select a project that’s not too ambitious in scope, it can absolutely be completed in a weekend’s time. You’ll want to consider your skill level, of course, and factor in processes that might take overnight—like drying time in between coats of paint, for example. Plan accordingly to accommodate these elements, if necessary.
Will the project increase the value of my home?
There are many different types of weekend projects, and several of them can offer a return on your upfront investment. Though extensive renovations and remodels are far more impactful in terms of increasing the value of a home, you could see a small boost from projects like painting or tiling. Focus your efforts on weekend projects to update or upgrade your kitchen and bath, if ROI is a chief concern. These are the areas future buyers tend to consider most when making their offers.
When should you prep for a weekend project?
Though it's not impossible to shop, prep for, and successfully finish a small project in a weekend or even a single day’s time, you might find it helpful to spread out the work a bit. Start by familiarizing yourself with the steps of your project well in advance so you know what you’ll need in terms of materials and tools. Securing supplies ahead of time will prevent you from having to run out last minute for something, which can disrupt the timeline of your project.
Prepping for the project can be done same-day so long as it’s not super labor intensive or requires items you don’t have on hand. A little bit of planning will go a long way in terms of the success of your DIY home improvement projects.