Weekend Home Renovation Projects | One weekend and you're done!

On your next free weekend, consider tackling any of these small renovation projects that make a noticeable impact in your home.

Ceiling fan

It is relatively simple to replace a ceiling mounted light fixture with a ceiling fan (with or without a light). Fans quietly circulate indoor air for added comfort year-round. Set the fan to spin counterclockwise in the summer to draw warm air upwards, and clockwise in the winter to push warm air down into the room.

Wall colour

A new wall colour punches up a room for less than $100. Consider these tips to save time and effort:

• Use a disposable paint tray liner.
• Use a paint pourer to keep your paint cans clean, which allows for a tighter seal.
• Don’t rinse your roller; instead wrap it well in plastic film then put it into the refrigerator so it will be ready for the second coat.
• When repainting a portion of a room, choose the same brand and type of paint (e.g., SICO interior eggshell) for a consistent finish.

Outdoor lights

Add a touch of cottage charm to your home with strings of patio lights, which softly illuminate outdoor dining and relaxation. Attach strings of lights to your porch ceiling or pergola with screw eyes and carabiners so that you can easily remove them for the winter months.

Pathway lights add to the safety and beauty of walkways during the evening. These lights are a cinch to install because they are usually solar-powered and fitted with a stake to push into the soil.

Motion sensor lights automatically snap on in the evening when a person (or an animal) passes nearby. It might be you coming home with an armload of groceries, or it could be a would-be intruder.

Faucet

The greatest challenge in buying a new faucet is deciding among the numerous choices. For years, shiny chrome was in style; now brushed chrome and matte black are popular options. Also, shapes have changed from short, thick styles to tall goosenecks. For the latest products and ideas, flip through home décor magazines. Whichever style you prefer, choose a product that will line up with the pipe openings in your countertop and sink.

Minor wall damage

Scrapes, dings and nail holes on walls tend to accumulate over the years. On a lazy weekend, tackle a room, or your entire home. Start by wiping off scuff marks with a soft, damp cloth. Next, fill holes and dents with drywall filler and smooth with a putty knife. Once the filler has dried, sand the surface, then paint it.

Stain your deck

Sunshine, foot traffic, and spilled food and drink can make a deck look weathered and discoloured. Restore the beauty of your deck in a single weekend by using a power sander to remove the old finish then clean off the dust and debris. Next, apply one or two coats of stain and sealer. Consider innovative new products such as the Canadian-made, Tall Earth Eco Safe Wood Treatment for decks, which is conveniently sold in powder form to be mixed with water.

Energy efficient window

Thermal energy can pass through window glass making rooms hot in the summer and cool in the winter. Upgrading to a window with a low-emissivity glaze reduces the exchange of heat and lowers your energy bills. Check with the provincial and federal governments as well as your local energy provider regarding rebate programs for homeowners who install new, low-emissivity windows.

Cabinet hardware

Do you like your kitchen cabinetry but feel that it looks a bit dated? New cabinet hardware can instantly change the look of your kitchen. Before you go shopping, count how many handles and knobs you will need and measure the distance between screw holes (or bring a handle with you to the store).

Showerhead

A luxurious rain shower experience worthy of a five-star hotel can be yours in just hours. New showerheads offer multiple spray options and some even have temperature controls. Best of all, many new products are considered low flow, which means they have been engineered to feel like a robust shower while using less water.

By the end of the year, you will have turned your free weekends into a home transformation.

Source: https://www.sutton.com/blog/home-improvement/weekend-home-renovation-projects
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