Budget-Friendly Improvements You Can Do This Week
Improving your home doesn’t have to mean big spending. With around $20 per project—and often less—you can tackle quick fixes that make your space more comfortable, efficient, and attractive.
Below are five DIY-friendly upgrades that keep both tools and costs simple. Each focuses on practical results you’ll notice right away.
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1. Install Felt Pads and Bumpers to Protect Floors and Cabinets
Scratched floors and banging cabinet doors make a home feel rough. Preventing damage is cheaper than repairing it.
What you’ll need
- Pack of assorted felt pads (for chairs and furniture) - Clear rubber bumpers (for cabinet doors and drawers) - Rubbing alcohol and clothStep-by-step
1. **Clean contact points**
Wipe the bottoms of chair and table legs with rubbing alcohol to remove dust and grease so pads adhere well.
2. **Apply felt pads**
Stick pads to every chair, barstool, and table leg that contacts hard flooring. Press firmly for a few seconds per leg.
3. **Add cabinet bumpers**
Open each cabinet door and drawer, and stick clear rubber bumpers on the inside corners where they contact the frame. Two per door is usually enough.
4. **Check for movement**
Slide a chair back and forth. If it still makes noise, add a second layer of felt or a larger pad.
5. **Schedule a quick check-up**
Plan to walk through every few months and replace any missing pads or bumpers. They’re cheap and protect much more expensive surfaces.
**Cost check:** A bulk pack of pads and bumpers typically costs under $15 and covers an entire dining area and kitchen.
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2. Add Peel-and-Stick LED Lights in Dark Spots
Dark closets, pantries, and under-sink areas are frustrating and prone to clutter. Simple battery-powered LEDs solve this quickly.
What you’ll need
- Stick-on LED puck lights or strip lights (battery powered) - Batteries (usually AA or AAA) - Rubbing alcohol and clothStep-by-step
1. **Identify dark zones**
Check closets, pantries, under cabinets, and near entryways that lack direct lighting.
2. **Clean mounting surfaces**
Wipe the area with rubbing alcohol and let dry. Adhesive sticks better to clean surfaces.
3. **Install the lights**
For puck lights, peel the adhesive backing and press firmly where you need light. For strips, start at the power end and press along the path.
4. **Test visibility**
Close doors and come back at night to ensure the light is placed where it’s most useful. Adjust if needed.
5. **Keep spare batteries nearby**
Store backup batteries in a labeled container in the same closet or a nearby drawer so replacements are quick.
**Cost check:** A multi-pack of battery-powered LEDs often runs $10–$20 and instantly improves visibility.
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3. Replace Cracked or Yellowed Shower Curtain Liners
Nothing makes a bathroom feel tired faster than a grimy, brittle shower liner. Replacing it is one of the fastest makeovers you can do.
What you’ll need
- New shower curtain liner (mildew-resistant if possible) - Shower curtain rings (reuse if in good shape) - Scissors (if trimming is needed)Step-by-step
1. **Remove the old liner**
Unclip the curtain rings and pull down the liner. Check for rusted rings; replace any that stick or squeak.
2. **Clean the rod area**
Wipe the shower rod and nearby tiles or wall with a bathroom cleaner to remove soap scum and mildew.
3. **Hang the new liner**
Clip the new liner onto the rings, making sure it hangs inside the tub and doesn’t bunch up.
4. **Trim if needed**
If the liner drags excessively on the tub floor, trim a small amount from the bottom with scissors.
5. **Add a quick rinse routine**
After showers, pull the curtain fully closed so it dries flat and consider giving it a quick rinse to prevent buildup.
**Cost check:** Basic liners cost $5–$15. Upgrading to a mildew-resistant model can save you from replacing it as often.
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4. Refresh Door Hardware With a Simple Handle Swap
Outdated or mismatched doorknobs can date your whole interior. Swapping one or two key knobs—for example, on the bathroom and front closet—makes a surprising difference.
What you’ll need
- New doorknob set (interior passage or privacy type) - Screwdriver - Optional: door latch alignment tool if latch sticksStep-by-step
1. **Choose a modern, simple style**
Stick with a finish that matches or complements existing hardware: brushed nickel, black, or brass are all safe picks.
2. **Remove the old knob**
Unscrew the visible screws on the interior side, pull both halves of the knob off, and slide out the latch mechanism.
3. **Install the new latch**
Insert the new latch into the edge of the door, ensuring the curved side faces the direction the door closes. Screw it into place.
4. **Mount the new knobs**
Fit the exterior knob first, then align the interior knob, threading the screws through and tightening evenly.
5. **Test the operation**
Open and close the door several times. Ensure the latch lines up with the strike plate and the handle turns smoothly.
**Cost check:** Many interior knobs cost $15–$20. Swapping just the most visible or frequently used ones can refresh a space on a small budget.
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5. Create a Simple Entryway Organizer in Minutes
A chaotic entry means lost keys, scattered shoes, and daily frustration. A basic organizing setup costs little but pays off every single day.
What you’ll need
- Small wall hooks or adhesive hooks - A simple tray or shallow basket - Optional: low-cost shoe mat or boot trayStep-by-step
1. **Pick your “landing zone”**
Choose the first flat surface or patch of wall you see when walking in—this is where clutter naturally lands.
2. **Install key and bag hooks**
Mount hooks at comfortable heights for keys and everyday bags. Use adhesive hooks if you’re renting or avoiding holes.
3. **Place a tray or basket**
Set a shallow tray on a console or shelf for wallets, sunglasses, and mail. Commit to using this as the only drop point.
4. **Add a shoe mat**
Place a boot tray or rubber mat by the door for shoes and wet boots. This protects floors and visually contains clutter.
5. **Define a 2-minute reset routine**
At the end of each day, take 2 minutes to clear stray items back into the tray, hooks, or mat. This tiny habit keeps the area tidy.
**Cost check:** Hooks, a tray, and a basic mat can easily come in under $20 if you shop smart or repurpose items you already own.
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Small Budget, Big Daily Impact
Quick fixes don’t need big budgets to be effective. By focusing on protection, convenience, and cleanliness, these under-$20 projects deliver outsized value. Start with the area that bothers you the most—your entry, bathroom, or dining space—and build momentum from there.