We all know the feeling - it’s Friday afternoon, and you’re full of good intentions. This weekend, you’re finally going to do something productive. But then on Sunday evening, you realize all you’ve actually done is had a good nap and watched some TV. And of course, there’s nothing wrong with that - downtime is actually essential - but if you’re looking for weekend projects that are genuinely worth your time and will make a difference to your home, there are some that you can do that will really stand out.
These are the kinds of tasks that offer a real sense of accomplishment, improve your home, and don’t need a lot of prep or expert skills to get right. A couple of days (and the right motivation), and you should end up with something to be proud of. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more.
Photo by Jessica Lewis 🦋 thepaintedsquare
Give Your Front Door A Refresh
It’s amazing how something as simple as painting your front door can breathe new life into your home’s exterior. It’s the first thing people see, after all, and probably the one you walk past every day without giving it much thought, so it’s definitely something you need to think about. The fact is that a bold colour can make a statement, while a more traditional shade can create a timeless feel, so you’ve got to think carefully about the tone you want to set.
Don’t leave it there, though - while you’re there, it’s worth sweeping the porch, trimming back any plants that are taking over, and maybe adding a new welcome mat. They’re only small details, but they really do make a difference.
Create A Feature Wall
If you’re craving a bit of change indoors but you don’t want to redecorate an entire room, a feature wall is a quick way to do it - and definitely something that can be done over a weekend. It could be a fresh coat of paint in a darker tone, for example, or a section of wallpaper, or even some peel-and-stick panels that give you the look and feel you want but without the commitment of a bigger project.
If you’re doing this, you’ll want to choose a wall that naturally draws the eye - some that work really well are the ones behind beds, sofas, or perhaps in a hallway so you see it as soon as you walk into the house. Once you’ve chosen, you can easily turn it into a focal point, and it’s a simple way to add character without needing to change everything in the space.
Organize That One Messy Cupboard
Don’t think you’re alone because every house has one - it’s that one cupboard, drawer, or other storage space where all the odds and ends go (the ones you’re not sure where else to put them, in other words). Things like old electronics, tangled cords, random keys, maybe-dead batteries that you don’t know how to dispose of properly…) - they’re all in that drawer, and it’s a project that you can do this weekend and feel great once you do.
The thing is that tackling this over the weekend is a very satisfying thing to do, and although you might not get the compliments that a different project would give you - the more obvious ones - it’s still something that needs to be done and actually something that could make life a lot easier for you.
Reclaim Your Garage
The garage often becomes a bit of a dumping ground - it’s where you put the things that don’t fit in the drawers and cupboards we mentioned above, and they’ll sit there collecting dust for potentially years at a time. However, with some time and effort, you can turn that garage into a space that works for you how it’s meant to.
You can start with a good clear-out, and be realistic about what you’re keeping. After that, you can add a few shelves or storage hooks to make things easier to find, and if you’re really motivated, now might also be the right time to finally sort out the garage door installation you’ve been putting off. Yes, this will need professionals, so it might not be done at the same time as everything else, but you can still arrange it and tick it off your list, and in the end, you’ll have a garage you can use and one that adds to your home’s curb appeal.
Update The Lighting
Lighting plays a bigger role in your home that most people realize - it can completely shift the mood, and swapping out old fixtures, adding a dimmer switch, or even just upgrading to warmer-toned bulbs can make a huge difference, especially in the rooms you spend most time in.
If you want to go a step further, think about layering your lighting - you could have a couple of table lamps or some simple wall lights, and you’ll upgrade and update your home right away.