Many of us are working from home or have seen a sharp decline in our working hours since the coronavirus made its way to the US. It’s easy to get fixated on all the negatives, but one positive that has come out of this is that we are home more.
This means we are in a unique position to get to know our houses and to make repairs or complete the home improvement projects we may have neglected before. Here are some home projects to consider whether your income has remained the same or you’ve had to adjust your budget.
5 Easy & Inexpensive Home Improvement Projects
Clean the dryer vent.
Let’s start out with a ridiculously affordable and super-beneficial project. This is to clean your dryer vent. As CNET explains, a dirty dryer vent is a fire hazard. And with little more than an inexpensive brush and an hour of your time, you can clear it out and make your dryer more efficient, not to mention safer. Keep in mind, however, that you may need to purchase a dryer vent brush with a long extension if your dryer is located deep inside of your home.
Add a home generator.
Storm season is approaching, and if you live in an area with frequent power outages or severe weather events, adding a home generator is a smart way to avoid things like all the food in your refrigerator spoiling. There are multiple price points for this project, and portable or small solar generators may cost as little as $300. A diesel generator, which could power your entire house, may set you back up to $15,000.
Show your landscape some love.
Shelter in place orders do not mean you have to stay inside 100 percent of the time. Many of us are spending more and more time in our backyards. Because of this, it only makes sense to make your exterior a place to enjoy. For a very small investment, you can do things like build a stone pathway or add a flower bed border. Even if you don’t have the budget for improvements, you can still clean up, trim bushes, and pull weeds. These won’t cost a dime and will have a huge impact on your home’s curb appeal.
Spruce up the bathroom.
There are so many ways to enhance your master or guest bathroom without a huge renovation budget. A few ideas are to add wainscoting, put statement wallpaper on an accent wall, or replace the mirror. You might also paint the cabinets – oil-based paint is more durable – and change out the hardware to completely alter the appearance of the room. For a bigger-budget remodel that still won’t’ break the bank, get rid of your dated fiberglass surround and add a traditional tile shower.
Add a sunroom.
A home addition is an expensive endeavor, but one that can truly enhance your space. And if we experience a second wave of coronavirus quarantines, you will be glad to have the extra room. A sunroom is a more affordable option than building a fully insulated and heated and cooled addition, and you can DIY this project if you purchase a kit. And with a space heater, you can use your sunroom well into the fall if you need somewhere to escape while the entire family is home with you.
You don’t have to have a huge amount of money in the bank to make a difference in your home. Small gestures, such as cleaning up the landscape or changing the hardware in the bathroom, can make a big impact. But if you do have the budget, now you have the time, and larger renovations can help you maintain the value of your home while making your space more comfortable during these uncertain times.
By Suzie Wilson
