Steph and Vicki, our friends at the Mother Daughter Projects blog, have done it again – making big changes quickly and inexpensively to Steph’s house, this time with our magnetic garage hardware.
Steph wanted to add some curb appeal to her home but didn’t want to spend a lot of time and money on the project. The recent run of warm, sunny weather in February spurred her to tackle her garage home improvement project.
We provided them with two styles of our Creative Hardware accents. Each set includes 2 door handles and 4 hinges equipped with ultra-strong neodymium magnets. No drilling is necessary and they simply snap into place. The handles and hinges are made of durable injection-molded plastic that resists flaking, rusting or staining. They release with 10 pounds of pressure, making them perfect for households with kids and pets.
“The application of the new magnetic garage hardware was as simple as putting a magnet on the refrigerator,” Steph says.
The duo also removed some dated insets from her garage windows, and washed the door with an outdoor cleaner to give it a refreshed look.
What a difference just a few simple changes make, all in the span of an afternoon! Be sure to read about the project here and let us know what you think.
It can be frustrating when you crave change in your surroundings but have limited funds. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy, DIY fixes you can do in no time at all.
6 Ways to Update Your Kitchen For Less
Paint
It’s been said time and again because it’s true: a fresh coat of paint can work wonders on tired walls, trim or cabinetry. At only $15-$25 on average per gallon, you get the biggest decor bang for your buck, along with a little elbow grease. Watch for sales. If you keep an open mind and aren’t married to a particular brand or color, you can score paint cheap at home improvement stores in their “oops, wrong color” shelves.
Or, check out Habitat for Humanity’s ReStores, which are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and used building materials, among other cool finds, at a fraction of the retail price.
Lighting
Light fixtures are an easy way to add interest to any space. In the kitchen, think about the tasks that you do in relation to the layout and counter space and plan accordingly.
Check out secondhand options like Goodwill or thrift stores in your hometown. Clean them up or repaint them and they’re good as new. And, if you don’t love it, you can always switch it out when a better option comes along, and feel good you didn’t overspend. Ikea is another great place to find inexpensive fixtures.
Accessories & Wall Art
You can find great accessories and wall art just about anywhere these days. Or, make your own art. Visit a secondhand book store or your own library and browse through the images for possibilities to frame. Kids’ artwork is another option. Take some of their masterpieces off the refrigerator and frame them to really make them really special.
Backsplash
Of course, another way you can refresh your kitchen for less is with a new backsplash. There are millions of materials to choose from, but for a truly budget-friendly DIY project, two brands stand out.
Fasade faux tin panels are available in a multitude of traditional, modern and industrial styles in more than 20 finishes. They easily stick to the wall with double-sided tape or construction adhesive. Aspect peel and stick tiles come in two formats, metal and glass, and add instant flair to your space. All you have to do is peel and stick!
Hardware
Replacing cabinet hardware and drawer knobs and pulls makes for a dramatic update for very little. You can find them at any home improvement store or specialty cabinet shops at all different price points. Or, take it a step further and remove some of the doors on your upper set of cabinets to achieve a lighter, more open look and have a new option to display some of your favorite dishes and serving platters.
Window treatments
You don’t have to live with tired window treatments. At the very least, clean the grime off your blinds. You’ll be amazed at the amount of dust and grease that accumulates over time. Here’s a great article on how to do that. Or, take down the blinds and try Roman shades or a new valance. These items can be purchased inexpensively at any mass merchandiser. Or, get crafty and sew them yourself.
What do you think of these 6 ways to update your kitchen for less? Have any more ideas? Let me know in the comments!
