12 affordable home improvements (one for every month of the year!)

Who doesn’t have home improvement goals? (Emphasis on the plural!) But completing several DIY projects at once rarely happens. You might finish one, start another and have supplies for the next before running out of time and energy. In the immortal words of Fall Out Boy, “The road outside my house is paved with good intentions.” Though the band’s lyrics don’t refer to home improvements, completing a small, affordable DIY project each month will leave you humming hallelujah every time you walk through your front door.

January: Entry envy

The holiday decorations have come down, and chances are your front door looks a bit blah. It doesn’t take much to make it warm and welcoming again. Purchase an outdoor rug with a bold pattern (think thick stripes, buffalo plaid, etc.) and layer it underneath a coir mat with a printed saying that fits your personality. Exact dimensions vary depending on the size of your entry, but a 2-foot wide mat on top of a 4-foot wide rug typically works well. Flank it with a couple of (drought-friendly) faux topiaries and hang a monogrammed decoration on your door to complete the look. 

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February: Bathtub bliss

You don’t have to take a sledgehammer to your bathroom to give it some glam. A tube or two of a porcelain repair product can make a dinged-up tub appear new again. For a built-in look, frame the front of the tub and add a beadboard panel topped with a ledge. Place a glass container filled with bath salt on the corner of the tub, replace the shower curtain and buy some plush towels. Voilà! You’ve refreshed the space and turned it into your own personal oasis.

March: Lighten up

The days are getting longer, lighter and lovelier. Take a cue from Mother Nature and lighten up your home. Hang sheer curtains above window frames in your main living space to let in more light and create the illusion of higher ceilings. The top of the fabric should hit halfway between the casing and the window and the bottom should barely kiss the floor. Strategically hang a large mirror to reflect the natural light. You may also want to swap out amber or soft-white light bulbs (2200-2700 kelvins) with cool-white or daylight bulbs (4000-5000 kelvins). 

April: Brighten up

Add a few pops of color throughout your home. If you’re feeling ambitious, paint or wallpaper an accent wall. If not (or your landlord doesn’t want you to paint), wall decals, throw pillows, artwork, fresh flowers and glass decorations are budget brighteners that don’t require much effort.

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May: Homegrown herbs

There are plenty of perennial herbs that boost the mood of your home through their appearance and fragrance. Not to mention fresh herbs make meals tastier. If you have a yard, creeping thyme is a fast-growing ground cover with beautiful blooms. Chives have fragrant flowers and stand a bit taller. Fennel is a large, graceful plant that works well in the back of a border garden. Mint naturally repels mosquitos. No yard? Parsley, marjoram, lemon verbena and other herbs can be grown in a box on your balcony or containers in your kitchen as long as they have enough light and water. Wet your plants, people!    

June: Outdoor living

Buying brand new patio furniture isn’t in everyone’s budget. If your existing outdoor chairs and tables are looking worn and weathered, give them a second life with some sandpaper, cans of paint/stain, strapping and/or new cushions. Starting from scratch? Shop for outdoor furniture on KSL Classifieds. Your frugal finds might include a vintage patio set made from spun fiberglass or new wooden porch rockers still in the box.   

July: Throw shade

Don’t hide inside to get a break from the sun. There are several DIY home projects that will extend the enjoyability of your deck, patio or balcony. It might be something as simple as installing porch curtains or a privacy lattice on the west side of your outdoor space. Planting a climbing vine at the base of a trellis can also do the trick. Or, build a small, slatted pergola for a fraction of the price of buying a premade product.  

August: Organization stations

If the kitchen is the heart of your home, cluttered countertops and cabinets are coronary artery disease. Assess its condition and use organization hacks to remove blockages. Install an appliance lift in a cabinet to maximize space and make it easy to access a stand mixer or other small appliances taking up valuable real estate. Replace a few cabinet shelves with roll-out trays to make pots and pans more accessible and use pegboard drawer organizers so you never have to rummage for that rolling pin again. 

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September: Cabinet facelift

Now that the inside of your kitchen cabinetry is in order, turn your attention to the outside. Use a gentle cleaning solution to remove grease and grime before doing anything else. You might be surprised by how much this helps and want to stop there. If you want more, installing new hardware is the easiest and most economical way to update the look of cabinets. Hardware doesn’t have to match the finish of your appliances or sink — mixing metals adds visual interest and is on-trend. 

October: Dodge drafts

Few things are more refreshing than crisp autumn air. But pleasant fall temps quickly dip to muscle-clenching digits. Now is the time to inspect your windows and doors and weatherize your home. Are there any cracks where you can see daylight? Weatherstripping is an easy home improvement that you’ll appreciate year-round, as long as you use the right type. Consider the material your windows and doors are made from, as well as the friction, wear and sun exposure of each when purchasing and installing weatherstripping.  

November: Good hygge

No, you don’t need to brush your teeth. (Though if that’s your first thought, you probably should.) Hygge refers to the comfort and coziness of a space. Put the pops of color away and bring out the earthy neutrals. Buy a plush chair or make an old chair more inviting with a soft, textured throw and a faux fur pillow. Place scented candles throughout your living space or use plug-in air fresheners with warm, comforting scents like cinnamon or teakwood.

December: Better hibernation

Prepare your bedroom for a long winter’s nap by ridding it of anything that doesn’t elicit relaxation or romance. Then show your fifth wall (aka the ceiling) some love. Paint it a deep, daring color and install a new light fixture. Use warm-colored light bulbs (2200-3000 kelvins) with enough lumens to read by but not so many that the relaxation vibe is verboten. Enjoy the new view as you lie in bed, enveloped in new flannel sheets and a textured duvet cover. 

Achieve your home improvement goals with these monthly DIY projects. You’ll enjoy your current space more than ever before. When it’s time for your next place, look to KSL Homes. We have thousands of local listings for sale or rent.