The holidays are coming! Usually, people do two things: rush to buy presents or slow their days because, after all, we’re nearing the end of the year. If you’re one of those who prefer to do the latter, then you can probably keep yourself a tad occupied at home with these renovation ideas you can do in two weeks or less.
1. Garage Upgrade
If you’ve been neglecting your garage the past year, now is the best time to sort it out. Get rid of the junk build-up over the next few weeks. You can consider the following methods:
- Marie Kondo: The decluttering style popularized by Marie Kondo means keeping only those that “spark joy.” This is a great way to assess your belongings, as it takes emotion into account.
- Piles: Sort your belongings into piles of like items (tools, clothes, decorations, etc.), and then put them away in an organized fashion.
- Donate, Keep, and Sell: If you can’t bring yourself to get rid of something, put it in a donate or keep pile. If there’s something you don’t need but could make some money off of, put it in a sell pile.
Another part of the garage that you can spruce up is the door. If you’re already having an aching back or don’t want the hassle of manually opening and closing it, invest in automated roller doors.
2. Kitchen Upgrade
The kitchen is often the most-used room in the house, so it’s worth investing in some upgrades. You can consider the following:
- New Appliances: If your appliances are more than five years old, they may be due for an upgrade. Look for energy-efficient appliances that will save you money in the long run.
- Flooring: If your flooring is outdated or damaged, consider replacing it. Laminate flooring is a great option because it’s durable and easy to install.
- Cabinet Refacing: If your cabinets are old and outdated, you can reface them for a new look. This is a relatively affordable option compared to cabinet replacement.
- Paint: Painting a kitchen can be tough, but it’s definitely worth the effort. If you’re feeling inspired to do some painting over the holidays, you can create rustic warmth by giving your cabinets an antique paint finish or giving them a fresh coat of white for that modern look.
- Layout: If you want to expand the look of your space, get rid of the island. Otherwise, make it multipurpose by adding shelves underneath or wheels so that you can move it in the corner when not in use. You can also update the layout with the famous triangle pattern, making you work faster and more efficiently here.
3. Garden Landscaping
The garden is often the neglected part of the house. This is a shame, as it can be a great place to relax and enjoy nature. You can consider the following over the next few weeks:
- Perennials: If you want to add some color and life to your garden, perennials are a great option. Choose plants that attract butterflies, bees, or birds.
- Garden Coating: Wood is often the material of choice for garden furniture, but it can be expensive to maintain. You can avoid this by opting for weatherproof resin furniture, which is affordable and easy to maintain.
- Patio Cover: If you’ve got a summer home with an outdoor space, consider getting a patio cover. This will shelter your space from the sun, rain, wind, and snow throughout the year.
- Mowing: Cutting the grass to a particular height will help them deal with the stress of the changing seasons more effectively. In other words, they are less likely to die.
4. Home Office
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, your job might have gone remote quickly that you didn’t have enough time to design your home office. Now that the health climate seems better, and you’re one of the lucky ones to get to continue working from home, you can pay more attention to how you want the space to look.
Here are a few ideas to try:
- Focal Point: Remember to hang something on the wall as a focal point. If you don’t want to spend much money, consider using beautiful frames and artwork that you or your kids may have created.
- Mirror: Mirrors can make a room feel larger and lighter, so consider placing one diagonally across from your desk.
- Storage: Use storage solutions to keep your desk clear. This will help you avoid distractions and stay organized.
There are several home improvements that you can do over the holidays, and they don’t need to cost you big bucks or a lot of time. Two weeks max, and you’ll have a far-better looking home for the coming year.
