If you’re looking to spruce up your living space without breaking the bank, these seven DIY home upgrades from design-focused YouTuber LK of Living With LK are just what you need. Whether you’re a renter or a homeowner, these projects are affordable, easy to do, and will make a significant difference in your home’s look and feel.
1. Revamp Your Door Real Estate
Doors often go unnoticed, yet they take up significant visual space in your home. LK suggests that simply cleaning, painting, or even replacing your doors can dramatically transform your space. If your doors are white and showing dirt, a magic eraser can work wonders. For a more dramatic change, LK recommends painting your doors in a warm neutral color or a bold black to add character and style. Even painting the trim around the door the same color can create a cohesive, bold look that elevates the entire hallway.
2. Upgrade Old Hinges and Door Knobs
Old, worn-out door hardware can make your home look dated. LK advises replacing those outdated silver or brass knobs with something more modern, like matte black knobs. For those who prefer a vintage look, LK suggests hunting for antique or vintage-style knobs and hinges at flea markets, estate sales, or even online on platforms like Etsy. Swapping out your door hardware is a simple and inexpensive way to add a personal touch to your home.
3. Use Color Creatively
Painting isn’t just for walls – LK encourages using paint in more creative ways to add depth and interest to your home. Consider painting your door and trim in complementary colors, or use color to highlight architectural features like arches or alcoves. Small doses of color in unexpected places, like ceilings or hallways, can make a space feel more thoughtful and intentionally designed. LK’s tip: don’t shy away from bold colors, as they can create a dramatic and stylish focal point.
4. Reflect Light with Mirrors
Mirrors are a fantastic way to enhance the lighting in a space, especially in darker areas of your home. LK suggests placing mirrors strategically to bounce light around the room, making spaces feel brighter and more open. If you’re looking for a unique look, consider using mirrors with interesting frames or even DIY-ing your own by adding a mirror to a thrifted frame. This upgrade not only improves lighting but also adds visual interest to your walls.
5. Consider Alternatives to Traditional Art
If your walls are already filled with art, LK recommends looking for alternative ways to decorate. A DIY pegboard, for example, is a versatile and functional piece of décor that can be customized to fit your space. Mesh racks or panels are another creative option, perfect for organizing and displaying items like sunglasses, accessories, or photos. These alternatives not only add dimension to your walls but also serve practical purposes, making them a win-win.
6. Maximize Space with DIY Shelving
Shelving is a fantastic way to add both storage and style to your home, but it can be pricey. LK shares that DIY shelving is a cost-effective alternative. By purchasing slabs of wood and minimal brackets, you can create custom shelves that fit your space perfectly. This project is not only budget-friendly but also allows you to add a personalized touch to your home. You can even take it a step further by painting the shelves in a complementary color to the room’s décor.
7. Use Curtains to Conceal and Enhance
Curtains aren’t just for windows. LK suggests using them to conceal storage spaces, laundry areas, or other parts of your home that you want to hide while adding texture and color to the room. Track curtains are particularly useful because they can be customized to fit any space and are easy to move. Whether you opt for traditional curtains or more modern track systems, this upgrade is an affordable way to enhance your home’s aesthetics while also serving a practical purpose.
Ideas from the Community
People in the comments shared their own ideas: “Another free wall art would be to hang unexpected things you already own. For me i found an old coin my grandfather brought back from Europe. It had been sitting in a drawer for years but i never wanted to part with it so i framed it and hung it on my gallery wall (found an old tiny frame from goodwill). Did the same with a pretty old brooch i had. Didnt want to part eith it so it found a new home as a sentimental and unexpected art piece.”
Another commenter added: “Another easy hack is to spray paint shiny mass produced door hardware. That way you can get anupdated look without purchasing new. You’ll know the size is correct.”
Simple Yet Effective
These eight DIY home upgrades from LK offer simple yet effective ways to make a significant impact on your home’s appearance and functionality without spending a fortune. By focusing on often-overlooked details like doors, hardware, and creative uses of color and light, you can transform your living space into one that feels both stylish and thoughtfully designed.
The Most Impactful
What do you think? Which of these DIY upgrades do you think would have the most impact in your own home, and why? How can you incorporate more creative uses of color in your home to add depth and interest without overwhelming the space? What other everyday items, like mirrors or curtains, could be repurposed in unique ways to enhance your home’s design?
Explore the full insights by viewing the video on Living With LK’s YouTube channel here.
