10 DIY Home Upgrades Under $50

We believe a house should feel like home, but what can you do when you don’t have the budget for a major remodel? Thankfully there are plenty of home upgrades you can do yourself without breaking the bank.

Here are a few you can do for under $50 and minimal know how.

Photo by @roamincolor

1. Update Cabinet Hardware

If your kitchen or bathroom is feeling dated but you can’t replace them, simply changing up the cabinet hardware can work wonders. You have two options to work with:

Paint your existing hardware. Maybe not quite as much pop here, but a contrasting color pick can really freshen up your space. 

Be sure to clean the hardware first by soaking them in an all purpose cleaner like this TSP from Amazon. Follow up with a high quality spray paint. Allow the paint to dry the full recommended time on the can, and then finish with an enamel like this one.

Your other option is to buy entirely new hardware. This can be a tad more expensive but your design options are only as limited as your local hardware store. 

First comb through some home design catalogs for some ideas on what may work well in your space. For example, do you want pulls or handles? Vintage? Mid-century modern? Eclectic? Once you’ve made your choice, take a look at your cabinets. How many different kinds of hardware are there? The most important distinction here is the number of mounting holes and the spacing of said holes. Count them all up. Then grab a screwdriver and take off a sample of each. Head down to your local hardware store and buy replacements in your style that align with the screw configuration of your existing hardware. 

There is also a huge selection of pulls on Amazon and on Houzz. 

2. Add Accent Lighting

I love gadgets and LED strip lights come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors to liven up any space. Stick them under cabinets or shelves, or fix them to the back of your TV for an entertainment center that wows. Plus you can find wireless options that integrate with various smart home systems like Alexa, Homekit, or Google Nest. Check out Amazon or Apple for some great options!

Photo by Cate Corcoran

3. Install a Front Door Kick Plate

A kick plate is a broad piece of polished metal placed horizontally along the bottom of your door to protect it from kicks, scratches, and furry friends. Not only is it a practical project but it can serve as a great accent to your front door as well! Get it in a material that matches your door handle like satin stainless steel or brushed brass. 

4. Install New Door Handles

Ok this probably should have come before kick plates, but new knobs can make doors pop throughout your home! Grab some stylish new knobs and upgrade interior doors and closets. Plus you can make life easier for disabled loved ones by installing easier-to-grasp door levers like these from Home Depot.

5. Insulate Water Pipes

Admittedly, this upgrade is not as fun as the rest, but it’s easy, and  saves you money.

Insulate hot water pipes in cold basements or crawl spaces (I know, not fun) with pre-slit self-sealing pipe insulation.

LED Path Lights by Kichler

6. Add Path Lighting

Make the walk to your front door a tad more charming with some solar-powered lights. Not only can you add a little mood to your walkway, but it will make the path safer for visitors in the evenings. There are lots of options available on Amazon.

Photo by Wu Yi

7. Rearrange Bookshelves

Let loose your inner Joanna Gaines by “styling” your book shelves with an artistic flair. These 10 tips from HGTV are some great inspiration!

8. Replace Dingy Light Switch Covers

Older homes are full of nasty yellow covers. Replacing them is quick, cheap, and easy, and makes them so much cleaner looking. For a kids’ room you can make a fun family craft project out of hand painting or gluing decoupage to existing covers.

DIY Crown Molding Kit by FOCAL POINT

9. Install Crown Moulding

What? How is crown moulding cheap enough to make it on this list? Well it turns out you can buy cheap foam crown moulding coated in polystyrene that is both easy to cut, and easy to install. To avoid the mess that glue can create, you can even purchase brackets and slotted moulding that makes installation as easy as hanging a curtain. 

“Hello Sunshine” design by TEMPAPER

10. Accent Wallpaper

No we’re not talking about your grandma’s wallpaper. These days technology has given us a snappy new trend in removable wallpaper. Easy to install, forgiving if you misalign, and easy to replace if you want to change up your style. When it comes to removable wallpaper though, we recommend quality products like these papers from TEMPAPER that won’t bubble or sag. Use it as an accent behind cabinets or over bathroom vanities. 

Disclosure: The information you read here is reflective of the opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent those of Mount Up. Links provided are for your convenience. Mount Up receives no compensation from promoted vendors.

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