The 9 Best DIY Home Improvement Projects for Your Downtime

The 9 Best DIY Home Improvement Projects for Your Downtime

by Katie Conroy

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When the evenings and weekends roll around, having something productive to do with your energy means feeling more satisfied when it’s time to return to work. When it comes to activities, home improvement projects are a clear winner. Not only will you savor a sense of accomplishment, you’ll be ramping up your home’s value. To explore some of the best do-it-yourself home improvement projects for your downtime, read on!

Upgrades That Boost the Value of Your Home

Whether you’re looking for some ways to stay productive or you’re planning on selling your home at some point in the near future, now is an excellent time to tackle a few DIY projects that help to boost the value of your home. What’s more, you don’t need to be a professional handyman to find worthy options. Several homeowner-friendly improvement projects that boost the value of your home include:

Giving your (1) front door a fresh coat of paint.
Improving your home’s (2) landscaping and overall curb appeal by planting new trees and laying a fresh layer of mulch.
Sprucing up your outdoor space by (3) adding a fire pit and colorful flowers.
Upgrading the (4) hardware on your kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
Converting a spare bedroom or attic into a (5) home office space.

Painting (6) interior walls is another sure-fire way to increase your home’s value. New paint with the right color scheme can create a more spacious, open and inviting feel to rooms, adding to the perceived “newness” of the inside of your home.

Wallpapering is another idea, giving you added benefits such as increased durability and protection to the walls, let alone the array of options including color, fabric, design and patterns. Installing (7) wallpaper is easier than ever, thanks to modern products like prepasted smooth and removable peel-and-stick contact wallpaper. It’s a great solution for adding some pizazz, especially if painting just isn’t’ your cup of tea.

Projects That Make Your Home Safer and More Secure

In addition to tackling a few DIY projects that help to increase the value of your home, your downtime is the perfect time to boost your home’s safety and security. For instance, you could install your own DIY home (8) security system to make your house safer and more secure — all while saving hundreds on professional installation costs. Plus, most DIY home security systems are simple to install. Here are a few tips for making the installation process even easier:

To get the strongest signal, place the main security hub as close as possible to your wireless internet router.
Place motion sensors on your windows, exterior doors, and other possible entry points.
Place video cameras near lower-level windows, garage doors, and front and back doors.

You could also install a backup generator — especially if power is regularly used where you live, or you reside in an area that experiences severe seasonal weather. Since generators quickly restore power to your home, these units can also help to deter thieves and burglars in the event of a power outage.

Safety Modifications for Aging in Place

If you plan on aging in place as you grow older, you could also use your extra time at home to improve the accessibility of your home. For instance, you could (9) install grab bars in the shower, move your bedroom onto the main level, and get an estimate for replacing carpeting with hard-surface flooring if that’s beyond your skill level. If you choose to hire a handyman, Bob Vila recommends getting some references to ensure you find someone who knows their stuff. You also might want to check state and local licensing requirements and make sure candidates you’re considering meet them.

As you can see, your downtime is an excellent opportunity to make a few DIY improvements to your home — especially if you’re hoping to boost your property’s value and/or make it a safer and more secure place to live. Put your extra time at home to better use by getting started on these DIY projects, and reap the rewards!