Transforming your home doesn’t have to mean calling contractors or spending a fortune on a monthslong reno. It also doesn’t have to be as simple as relying on seasonal decor items and hanging framed photos. Instead it should be all about finding the right DIY hacks that make a major impact and refresh the look of furniture and walls in your home.
With summer in full swing, you may be searching for a few quick ideas to get your home guest-ready. AD stopped by Live with Kelly and Ryan to share our favorite unexpected tricks to upgrade your entire home for under $100—from peel-and-stick tiles to simple-yet-statement-worthy hardware swaps. See our five easy DIY hacks to upgrade your abode.
Peel-and-stick floor tile
Need an inexpensive fix for old, outdated floors? Try peel-and-stick floor tiles to ground any room in good style. These vinyl tiles, just ¼-inch thick, come with pre-applied adhesive that will cover any surface—from linoleum kitchen floors to faded ceramic bathroom tiles—and will cost you less than $50. Peel-and-stick floor tile options range from solid colors to the more textured, luxe marble-printed tiles that cost a fraction of the real ceramic flooring. Arrange tiles in an alternating, checkerboard design to capture the timeless, elevated style.
Removable backsplash
A backsplash is the backdrop for your entire kitchen—but adding or replacing tile can be time consuming, messy, and expensive. Enter removable peel-and-stick backsplash. With a bounty of colors and styles to browse from like green subway tile or the bold Spanish-inspired patterns, anyone can find the perfect design. The best part? They’re as easy to remove as they are to apply. Meaning: It’s the ideal solution for a rental or a place-holder as you save for a more expensive ceramic tile backsplash.
DIY-friendly hardware
Say goodbye to basic builder-grade fixtures and uninspired hardware that often comes with flat-pack furniture. Our philosophy? Anything that can be screwed on can easily be screwed off and replaced. Get creative with elevated handle choices. Or, if you’re feeling DIY-savvy, try one of these quick projects to create your own knobs, pulls, and handles:
Leather Pulls
Though a leather dresser knob kit will do the trick just fine, leather pulls are quick and simple to make. All you need is a short strip of leather (approximately 5 inches), a hammer or drill, and nails or screws in a color that best complements your piece. Either loop the leather into a single handle or stretch it out and secure with a nail on each side.
Rope Handles
Add a nautical touch with textured rope handles. Thread rope through pre-drilled holes (or drill your own), and tie knots on the inside of the cabinet to secure. Try colored rope or wrap the rope around metal hardware to give the piece even more visual interest.
Pipe Handles
Take a walk on the industrial side with pipe handles, made from items available at any hardware store. All you need are two end caps, a pipe that fits the length of your piece, and matching brackets. Then, mount to your cabinets or drawers.
Statement switch plates
Between paint colors, trim and molding, or even wallpaper, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to walls. But the one thing that’s often overlooked is the switch plate. A few DIY-friendly upgrades are all you need to make a statement.
Make switch plates metallic
Give your walls a hint of character with brushed gold switch plates. For a vintage look, try Old World aged bronze or hunt for antique brass plates in thrift stores. Alternatively, match the switch plate to the existing metals in your room, like a nickel lamp base. In a pinch, coat your existing plastic switch plate with metallic spray paint.
Go bold with black
Create a striking contrast against bright, white walls with black switch plates. A less obvious choice than white, this is a simple way to punch up your walls while still maintaining a classic color palette.
Wrap with wallpaper
Put wallpaper scraps to good use by covering your switch plates with the same eye-catching pattern. Simply remove your plate, wrap in wallpaper and use a precision knife to cut along the holes. Lift and add a thin layer of glue to keep wallpaper in place. Reattach the switch plate to the wall. Whimsical contact paper can do the trick as well.
Find new lighting upgrades
When it comes to fine-tuning the room’s vibe, lighting is everything. It can instantly make any space feel updated, cozy, and personalized. And this doesn’t mean you have to replace all the light fixtures in your room.
Start with lightbulbs. Swap out any bulbs that aren’t helping your lamps truly shine. Opt for incandescent bulbs to create a warm, inviting glow. If you’re looking to make the room bright, consider the energy-efficient option: halogen bulbs.
For a real transformation, update existing lamps with by reimagining the lampshade. You can also use paints or dyes to update existing lampshades that could use some sprucing up. Explore different shapes and textures. Compact statement lamps are trending in 2022 and can instantly bring your room into the modern era.
Mushroom lamps
For a polished look with a bit of added quirk, mushroom lamps check every box. The adorable domes provide a nice amount of controlled light that’s perfect for a reading nook or bedside table. Some are even portable, so you can bring them into your outdoor living room.
Ceramic lamp base
For an understated way to complement a neutral palette, a ceramic lamp base that mimics an artful vases is a popular choice if you’re looking to add texture.
’70s-era fringe
The Flower Power era is back, as are fringe lamp shades. Dressing up a standing lamp with fringe makes it more sophisticated and architectural than kitschy.
